Spring cleaning can be more than just turning over our mattresses, ridding our drawers of clothes, and scrubbing down the house. It can also be about preparing ourselves for the months ahead and having a fresh start in other areas of our life too. Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the automatic flow of the routine and we forget that we need to stop and take mental breaks at times too. It’s important to literally stop and smell the roses at times. Practicing mindfulness is a great way to enjoy things more and helps at slowing things down in an already busy and hectic world. It’s important to not only practice mindfulness, but also have coping skills that will help recharge our batteries and give our minds a fresh start at the beginning of each day. Here are some helpful hints in how you can be more mindful and how to keep your mind clear in not only the spring months, but all days/months of the year.
1.) Keep a Gratitude Journal
At the beginning of each day or at the end of each day, try to create a list in a journal of 5-10 things you’re grateful for. This can be something as small as, “the sun is shining” or “I felt confident at work today”. Use these things as a reminder to stay positive and when you’re having day when you feel under the weather, it can be a great tool to use reflect on the good things that happen in your life.
2.) Hit the gym!
This is a no brainer – not only does going to the gym lift our spirits because of the release of endorphins, but it can also help challenge you and accumulate goals. For instance, instead of running on the treadmill for 20 minutes each time, learn to start tacking on to your gym goals. Start adding weights to your routine and then maybe an hour long class AFTER your workout. This will eventually spread into your other typical areas of your routine and help you to persevere with other goals you have in your life. It may help you to go above and beyond with work tasks, homework, spending time with family, and working towards that dream vacation you’ve always wanted.
3.) Take 10 Minutes Each Day to Become One With Your Surroundings
This may sound weird and you may be wondering what I mean by this. It’s quite simple really. Find time in your day to take only 5-10 minutes and sit and become aware of your surroundings. Maybe this could be on a park bench, on the end of your bed, or even at your work desk. Simply sit there and try to pay attention to as many things as possible – for instance, a bird chirping in the background, a leaf slowly blowing over the sidewalk, the sun as it warms your back, etc. This is something that is becoming harder and harder to do in this day and age. Especially with the hustle and bustle of people trying to accomplish so much at once, it can become hard to slow down and just enjoy the tiny occurrences in our daily routines.
These may seem like small things at first, but once you regularly add this into your routine you will begin to see the difference it makes. Make spring a time where you not only think about sweeping up the dust mites in your home, but also a time where you can untangle your emotional cobwebs and have a fresh mental start!