Try out these little lifestyle tweaks to freshen up your health this Spring!
There’s something simply magical about Spring. Even perpetually peppy birds seem to have a little more cheer in their chirps, and hey… what’s not to like about going outside and not being slapped by a wind so cold it makes you wonder what you ever did to make Mother Nature hate you?
But, there’s nothing that can kill your warm weather-induced buzz faster than the idea of “spring cleaning.”
Not to worry, we’re not going to tell you to set aside several days for massive home cleaning (good grief, can you imagine?). Instead, we’ve got 12 essentials to help you kick your healthy habits up a notch—from tossing old makeup to deciding to eat local—with nary a cleaning binge in sight.
1. Choose In-Season, Local Produce
Seasonal produce offers more flavor as well as price savings, says Keri Gans, RD, a New York-based nutritionist and author of The Small Change Diet. Local produce supports farmers and also spares the environment by eliminating long-distance delivery systems. And, spring is the perfect time to take advantage of your neighborhood’s bounty.
2. Schedule screenings & Doctor Visits
Plan ahead to keep track of wellness appointments during the year. Talk with your doctor for a plan that suits your needs. In general, plan on a colonoscopy around age 50, a bone mineral density screening after menopause, a PAP test every three years, mammograms every two years, and dental exams every year.
3. Venture Outside
Walking for exercise benefits your cardiovascular system and burns calories. Take a walk in the woods and you’ll also reap the benefits of anti-cancer proteins, according to a study published in the International Journal of Immunopathology Pharmacology. Called “forest bathing,” researchers found that walking in the forest lowers blood pressure and stress and boosts the immune system.
This article originally appeared on Prevention.com.
