Spring Cleaning for Your Body, Mind, & Soul

Spring has a magical way of ushering in fresh starts in all aspects of our lives. Just as
clearing out our closets makes us feel somehow lighter, we also receive countless benefits from taking the time to scrub out the cobwebs that accumulate in our mind, body, and soul.
 
There’s no better time to shed beliefs, ideas, and commitments that no longer serve you. Once you let go of that which has been weighing you down, you clear room for more of what makes you feel alive and joyful. With this renewed spring in our step, our loved ones feel the positive effects, too; in fact, everyone we encounter reaps the benefits when we’re more present and balanced.
 
Thankfully, there are plenty of fun ways to open up to the energy of spring, and all the new life and possibilities it presents! We asked our practitioners at Hudson Healing Arts for their best ideas, and, as usual, they didn’t disappoint…
 
Spring Cleaning For The Body
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medical Theory, the liver is the general of the organs—and spring is liver season! Our nutritionist and acupuncturist, Joe DelGiodice, recommends incorporating foods, beverages, and lifestyle cultivation practices that directly benefit the health of your liver (and thus, your entire body).
 
Food:

• bitter greens
• fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi
• sour foods such as organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar, lemon, lime, and grapefruit
• artichokes
• shiitake mushrooms, either simmered in water or sautéed with the lid on the pan
• ginger
• mint
  

Beverages:

• Lemonade made with 1 quart spring or purified water, 3 organic freshly squeezed lemons, 1 tablespoon organic grade B maple syrup, 1 teaspoon organic extra virgin olive oil, 3 sprinkles organic cayenne pepper
• organic ginger tea
• organic peppermint tea
• organic dandelion root tea
• ​
  

Be sure to watch Joe's Spring Cleansing Salad video at the end of the article!

Lifestyle Exercises:

• Deep breathing while walking at a moderately brisk pace with arms pumping
• Deep breathing before bedtime while raising arms over head and then out to the sides, inhale through the nose while raising arms, exhale through the mouth when lowering arms.

 
Spring Cleaning for the Mind
Andrea Inauen, our licensed social worker and resident counselor, is a huge advocate for emotional toolboxes. While many events in life are out of control, Andrea believes it’s empowering to identify those we can control and work through to find joy in the everyday. 
She encourages clients to reevaluate their coping toolbox; that is to say, the methods in your proverbial back pocket to help you manage stress, anxiety, and daily challenges. This could include exercise, nourishing foods, massage, social time, sleep, or other self-care activities.
 
“Identify if there are tools that have been dormant—can they still be helpful, or have your interests changed?  Is it time to let go of one or two of those tools? Or, did you forget you had these tools, and maybe this spring is a time to re-institute them into your life and routines?” Andrea says.
 
She encourages clients to consider one or two possible new tools, perhaps yoga, guided imagery, essential oils, painting, creative writing, or journal-keeping. You won’t know how a tool works until you try it!
 
“Recognize that, as springtime emerges, it is a time where joy and peacefulness can abound, but having a freshly polished toolbox to take great care of ourselves can help us make the most of the season and find joy in the everyday,” she says.
 
Spring Cleaning For The Soul
Hudson Healing Arts founder Beth O’Boyle also shares that spring is the perfect opportunity to air out our emotional closets. She recommends AshWork, a gentle, noninvasive form of energy work that helps to encourage healing, release stuck patterns, and restore harmony. It’s also a technique that can help you make significant progress on emotional issues in a relatively short period of time (You can read more about it here.)
 
“Clearing out old emotional baggage helps us lighten our energy. As you let things go, it frees you up to be more present in the world,” Beth says. “It may be a good time to hone in that one issue that’s been stuffed in your mental drawer: the one you meant to take care of, but haven’t. Airing out these issues can help you move forward in a lighter way.”  
 
Plain Old Spring Cleaning!
There’s a reason “A clean home makes for a clean mind” is such a popular saying: it’s absolutely true! Our physical environment has a direct link to our head space, so pat yourself on the back for any decluttering efforts happening in your abode. Beth also offers some au naturale tips for elevating your spring cleaning routine:
 

• Lemon essential oil is a great, wonderfully versatile ally for cleaning. Be sure to use a high quality oil and test surfaces on an inconspicuous area first.
• Add a few drops of lavender, lemon, or your favorite essential oil to wool dryer balls for deliciously fragrant laundry.
• If you’re familiar with tidying expert Marie Kondo, you’ll be familiar with her tagline: “Does it spark joy?” It’s a question worth considering as you reexamine your household items and possessions. If an item is charged with old, negative energy, it may be time to say goodbye.
• Add new pops of color into your environment to awaken your senses.
• Use Young Living’s Thieves blend to freshen up any atmosphere. It’s pretty potent, so feel free to dilute quite a bit. As an added bonus, the cinnamon oil helps keep pesky ants away! To  order, go to www.youngliving.com and use referral number #220708.
• Clear the energy in your home by smudging with sage or palo santo sticks. Set your intention to get rid of stale, stagnant energy, and then open your windows and welcome the fresh air (and fresh possibilities, of course!).

 
We sincerely hope one of these ideas resonates and helps you to celebrate the season of renewal to the fullest! However, this list is far from exclusive...there are endless ways to get creative and welcome spring in your own style. Feel free to share your favorite “spring cleaning” rituals in the comments section below!