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10 Ways to Deep Clean and Freshen Up Your Health and Your Life
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Most people think of spring time as the time to “spring clean” your home: throwing out old clothes, purging cupboards and garages, sending rugs, drapes, and carpets out to be washed.
But have you given a moment to think about your health? Your mind? Your soul? Sometimes they need a little bit of deep cleaning, too. Not quite what you might be thinking, we don’t necessarily mean a weekend at a spa, but we have a few ideas to help you deep clean and freshen things up that don’t involve a mop, a rag, or an expensive weekend away.
Keep reading for the top 10 tips for doing a little deep cleaning that will leave you feeling lighter, safer, and much more focused.
1. Deep Clean that Medicine Cabinet
Although you should really store medicines in a cool, dry cabinet and not in a bathroom medicine chest, many people still stash their meds there. Whether you have any prescription meds or just some over the counter stuff, take a look at the expiration date. Wow. You might be shocked at how old some of those meds are. Dump them! If you aren’t sure, take a look at it. If the color has faded, looks kinda funky, or worse, smells funky, or if you just aren’t sure how old it is or even what it is, dump it in the trash can. Then take a look online at Drug Take-Back Network to see how you can safely dispose of old medications in your area.
2. Deep Clean Your Skin
If you don’t exfoliate your skin regularly, now is the time. Exfoliating is easy and it will improve circulation and remove dead skin cells. You can find hundreds of exfoliating scrub recipes online, but the simplest one is simply mixing sugar and some olive oil. Rub this mixture all over your skin and face after washing, then rinse off.
3. Freshen Up Your Plate
One of the easiest ways to improve your overall diet is to freshen up your plate with color. Add vegetables and fruits that are full of color and you will be adding plenty of healthy antioxidants. Try some purple cabbage, red sugar beets (be sure you get organic and not GMO beets), yellow bell peppers, orange sweet potatoes, green kiwi fruit, and beautiful white cauliflower for a rainbow of colors on your plate!
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4. Deep Clean Your Mind
Try uncluttering your mind by practicing mindfulness. What is mindfulness? Nothing more than being in the moment, right now, not focusing on regrets in the past or fears for the future. Try to tame that fast and furious mind for just 5 minutes per day to start. Then try it for twice a day. Simply sit in a comfortable, quite place, close your eyes, and try not to think. Just notice your breathing and feel any and all sensations as they come and go. Harder than it sounds but so worth the effort.
5. Freshen Up the Light
During the winter and even during much of the spring (since those 35 degree days just don’t feel warm yet) our vitamin D levels dip way, way into the red. Low levels of vitamin D in the blood have been linked to problems like osteoporosis, heart disease, depression, and even cancer. Your body makes vitamin D from sunlight. Since skin cancer is a problem, you need to work yourself up to getting about 30 minutes each day of pure, beautiful sunshine. You can also focus on eating more foods that have vitamin D such as diary products and spinach. If you can’t get much sunlight due to schedules or other reasons, you can always take a supplement, but fresh air and sunshine is a much better, mind clearing agent that you should take advantage of it every chance you get.
6. Deep Clean Your Liver
Since you liver is the King of detoxification, you should help your liver do the best job possible. Your liver uses two major enzymes driven pathways to change toxic compounds into harmless substances. D-limonene, which is found in lemons (especially in the peel) are known to activate both of these detoxification highways. So start your day with the juice of half a lemon, and a little bit of zest, in a cup of warm water and feel your liver revving up and taking off!
7. Deep Clean Your Makeup
Remember that blue mascara that sounded so cool at the store but looked like Halloween when you put it on and now is lying in the bottom of your makeup drawer or bag three years later? It’s time to toss it. Most makeup has a one year shelf life, and organic products even less. It’s time to toss it when you see that the product has separated, smells funny, looks funny, or if you can’t remember when you bought it. Using products that have expired or have grown bacteria puts you at a much greater risk for infections, especially of the eyes.
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Photo credit: bigstock.com
8. Deep Clean Your Kidneys
Along with the liver, our kidneys are one of the hardest working organs in the body and are frequently one of the most neglected. More than 1 million delicate nephrons sort out toxins and expel them from the body. Your kidneys filter more than 200 liters of blood every day as well as being responsible for the pH balance of the body, your blood pressure, and for keeping your bones strong and healthy. All your kidneys ask for is to stay well hydrated. Flush your kidneys and show them some love by giving them an extra glass of water today. That’s not too much to ask, now is it?
9. Freshen Up Your Feet
Those comfy but worn out gym shoes or running shoes are probably doing you more harm than good. Shoes should be replaced about every 600 miles (if you are a runner) or every 6 months. This means that if you run an average of 50 or 60 miles each week, you should replace your shoes every 3 months. Shoe material, especially the heels, wear out with use and lose much of their cushioning effects. Treat your feet to a new pair of gym or running shoes. Your feet will thank you.
SEE ALSO: Top 40 Foods that Cleanse and Detox the Body Naturally
10. Deep Clean Your Bowels
OK, it’s not considered polite to talk about bowels and poop in public, but since everyone does it, let’s be honest here. Having regular bowel movements not only fulfills an important function in the body, it feels good. For your bowels to work properly you need fiber and fluids. So make a commitment to eat whole fruit and vegetables over juice, whole meal over refined grains, and remember to drink your 8 glasses of water each and every day. Probiotic supplements can also help to stimulate a lazy bowel. Don’t you feel better already, just talking about it?
Slow down, lighten up, and take some time to enjoy life every single day. Your mind and body depend on it!
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