Spring is almost here! The birds are chirping and the days are getting longer.

This is the perfect time to improve your health and wellness by doing a “spring cleaning” for your mind and body.

Here are my favorite tips to getting back to a newer, fresher you in no time.

 

• Drink more water – Aim for at least half of your body weight in ounces of water.

• Get outside – There’s nothing quite like fresh air and sunshine to refresh your mind, body, and soul.

• De-clutter – whether at home or work, clean up, put away or toss anything that you no longer use.

• Cut out processed foods – Aim for fresh veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and complex carbs

• Unplug – In today’s world you are connected 24/7. This constant state of “being on” gives your mind little time to take a break and recharge itself.

• Get plenty of sleep – Aim for at least seven to eight hours per night. Sleep allows our body to renew.

• De-stress with a bath – Add some Epsom salt and lavender oil to a nice warm bath and relax.

• Get a massage! Massage has been shown to rid the body of toxins and help ease the mind. And it feels good!

 

 

Some people experience a serious mood change during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This condition is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

SAD is a form of depression and can reduce the quality of life for the estimated 10 million Americans affected.

Common symptoms of SAD are mood swings, feeling unmotivated, over-eating, irritability, depression, disruptive sleep, lack of concentration, and fatigue.

One of the many therapies that can help SAD is massage. A recent article from the American Massage Therapy Association lists ways in which massage therapy can counteract physiological mood factors that often accompany SAD. According to the AMTA, massage can:

• Reduce anxiety and depression.
• Decrease hormones associated with anxiety.
• Significantly decrease heart rate and blood pressure

SAD is only seasonal, but when you’re in the thick of it, it can feel never-ending. If you’re looking for a natural treatment to help you beat the winter blues, consider giving massage therapy a try.