FINALLY Feels Like Spring! (And Yankees Baseball Season)

After enjoying some beautiful weather over the weekend, this marks the first Motivation Monday where I feel like spring has actually sprung! So I thought it was the perfect opportunity to offer a reminder about making time for one seasonal activity that can do wonders for your mind and spirit. (Depending on the intensity level, you may even break a sweat.)

I’m talking about spring cleaning! I recently spent several hours not only attacking some serious dust bunnies around my apartment, I also started eliminating some of the piles of paper in the “hidden” areas of my apartment. Despite being part of the digital age in my cozy 585-square foot co-op, somehow the receipts, old invoices and other paperwork manage to get an extended lease on life throughout the winter. After a few hours of cleaning and giving the paper shredder a good workout, I felt so much lighter. There really is something cathartic about getting rid of the  “stuff” that simply has no place in your life anymore.

Here are a few tips to get started:

• Clean Out Those Closets and Drawers: I know it may hurt, but maybe this is the spring you finally get rid of that college T-shirt with the permanent sweat stains. I’m not suggesting you toss your school pride in the trash, but maybe this is the year you add a piece of alumni gear to your wardrobe.   While you’re at it, why not treat yourself to a few bright-colored, moisture-wicking items to those freshly de-cluttered drawers?
• Don’t Forget the Pantry!  If you still have leftover holiday candy taking up space on the shelves, now’s a good time to bring those treats to the office where they’re guaranteed to be gobbled up quickly. (Better than you being tempted to eat an entire box of empty calories, right?) Of course, anything existing beyond an expiration date should just be tossed.
• Freshen Up the Fridge: This is also a good time to add some healthy variety to your diet. Lots of colorful fruits and veggies are hitting their peak which is good news for your daily menu. As you head to the grocery store or local farmer’s market, remember to fill your basket with a variety of color ranging from red to green to make sure you’re taking in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. (Those are the plant chemicals known for helping to fight and prevent disease.) Need a few ideas? Try rainbow chard, arugula and strawberries.

In addition to moving your workouts outdoors and trying some new fitness classes, cleaning out the clutter in your life is a surefire way to make this a spring filled with endless opportunities to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!