It’s that time again. Spring! I LOVE Spring! It’s that time when the earth just seems to come alive again. The buds on the trees come out overnight. My strawberries have their blossoms on them. The windows can be open and the gentle breezes are so refreshing. And the birds! Oh, my backyard is like a sanctuary for birds at this time of year! It makes me wish I could identify them all and sing along with them. 😃 I even have a woodpecker or two. Did I mention that I love Spring? 😃

Along with spring comes the desire to start things fresh. Many times people do spring cleaning in their house and purge and get everything tidy, neat and organized.

But, I would like to challenge you that now is a good time to do spring cleaning internally as well. Take a look at the habits that might have built up over the wintertime. Are there changes that you could make as you prepare for summer that would give your health a boost and cleanup from within? So, let’s look at 10 simple changes that could be made for a good internal spring cleaning.

– Increase your water intake.

We all know that many of us habitually drink very little water. We fill our thirst with juice, or worse yet, sodas. It has been said by the time you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. Check out six reasons to drink water. Years ago a naturopathic doctor recommended “The Bodies Many Cries for Water.” Have you read it?

– Get to bed earlier

Now those of you that know me personally are laughing because this is one of my worst downfalls. One of the marks of adrenal fatigue is the circadian rhythm being upside down. So it is so easy for me to burn the midnight oil and far, far beyond. But, growing up my mom always told me the best sleeping hours are those before midnight.

– Get outside.

Forget about all the work that needs to be done, then next load of laundry, the bathroom that needs cleaning and just enjoy this weather. There is NO substitute for sunshine and enjoying this weather with your children brings life back into the soul.

– Go barefoot!

We have hard wood floors or carpet and get into our cars and walk on pavement and concrete. But, when do we actually touch the soil anymore? Get out and dig in the dirt, run in the grass and get dirty like you did as a kid. 😃

– Ditch the sugar!

The average American eats more sugar than you can imagine. Did you know a sweet potato with butter is DELISH! No need for brown sugar! Try honey in your oatmeal next time. But, make sure you replace your sugar with other healthy substitutes. Beware of artificial sweeteners like saccharin and nutrasweet. I will choose sugar over those nasty chemicals anytime!

– Avoid man-made carbs

You know, the yummy chips, white starches and breads. The Trim, Healthy Mama approach is a very healthy way to go! It helps balance your blood sugar as well.

– Move more

I just joined a gym, but now with this beautiful weather just going for a brisk walk and getting my heart rate up is beneficial. Just tonight I joined my family in a brisk game of foursquare.  My body would rather have curled and gotten on facebook, but spending that time interacting with my little ones and getting my heart beating was the better choice.

-Stop and smell the roses.

Live in the minute. This is a big one for me. I tend to always be thinking of the next duty that needs to be done, the next thing on the schedule that I forget to enjoy that. second. right. then. And I can miss something precious, something priceless unless I slow down and live for that moment right then.

– Laugh!

The Bible says Laughter does good like a medicine. And it truly does. Laughter is contagious too! This website gives you some of the benefits of laughing namely it can strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. One of my favorite laughs is watching Bill Cosby’s description of childbirth.  (Warning, there is one inappropriate word).  Watch it for a good old fashion belly laugh!

-Support your body with high quality vitamins and minerals.

It is no secret that I love, love, love a certain specific supplement protocol. I have seen first hand what these plant based supplements can do. When you address core issues like blood sugar regulation, inflammation reduction and gut health, it can create a wonderful snowball effect of healing. So treat yourself to a good tuneup inside using high quality products from a company of integrity.

Have fun spring cleaning your health as well as your home and enjoy this beautiful season! Maybe you are already practicing these things but a good reminder is always good to keep at it!  Do you have a favorite tip you would like to share?  I would love to hear!

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2
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