Spring Clean YOU!

Spring is here, and it’s time to peel off the layers of winter. Give yourself the gift of a springclean– body and soul.

Especially for the season of Spring, these are some steps you can take for a new start:

(Plan this for a day when you won’t be disturbed!)
Stop
Just stop. Today, let the world revolve without you.

Simplify
Get a notepad. You have work to do!
Think of all areas of your life— family, home, health, relationships, finances, work…

Have a page for each. Write what’s good about each, and what’s causing stress or chaos. Work out a series of small goals for each area that you can work towards. Sort deeper issues into things you can improve by yourself, or things you need help with. Keep your mind open from this point on, as this is an ongoing process. Keep seeing ways to simplify your life—which will lead to enriching not only your own life, but the lives of those around you.

Soothe
Do something creative; something you enjoy. Whatever it is, use different colours, textures, styles or ingredients than you normally would.
Engage in some light exercise; yoga or stretching.

Soak
Sink yourself into a bath.
Slip your mind into neutral.
Steep your soul in bliss.

Slough
After your bath, lie on your bed on a large fluffy towel. Have the air warmed in advance if it’s a cold day. Use a skin brush to brush your skin. Dry-skin brushing sloughs off all those old skin cells.

Better still, dry-skin brushing stimulates and cleanses your lymphatic system and capillaries. And it feels great!

A brush that fits in the palm of your hand is best, with a strap to keep it in place. You’ll also need a brush with a long handle for your back. Start with your feet and work your way up. Brush with a pressure that feels comfortable. Brush upwards, avoiding your face and sensitive areas. If you’re pregnant, have varicose veins or if you have any other kinds of skin conditions, seek medical advice before dry-skin brushing.

Still
Still your mind. If you meditate, let yourself flow into your favourite meditation method. If your mind is always ‘too busy’ and you find meditating difficult, you can follow the steps at the end of this article. (And perhaps plan to join a meditation group at a later stage.)

Emptying your mind allows higher thought in.

Sleep
Modern living often leaves us short of sleep. Over an extended period, you become chronically tired, even exhausted. Let yourself slip into a deep, refreshing slumber. On a day-to-day basis, plan to go to bed at an hour that provides you at least eight hours sleep. If babies or children wake you at night, try to take a short nap during the day, or catch up on extra hours of sleep when you can.

A relaxation technique

Imagine a balmy, perfect day. You’re floating down a gentle stream in a small boat. There is only you. You have no one to think about, nothing that needs doing. You just… are.

Lie back and wonder at the canopy of willow trees above you, the impossible blue glimpses of sky.

Trail your hands in the silky warm water of the stream. Let the warmth travel through your arms and body. Time has no meaning here. Immerse yourself totally in the experience.

Let the boat dissolve away. You don’t need it anymore.

(Those who can’t swim well may feel more secure keeping the boat!)

Float on your back on the water. The stream has broadened out into an open, still pool. Feel the sun rays that filter softly through the willows. Think about all the good things the sun brings, warmth, light, food for plants, vitamin D and health. Now let your mind drop a gear. Let word associations for the sun come freely to you. Allow each word to come and go, but keep returning to your thought of the sun. Make the sun your focus.

Feel your breathing and heart rate slow.

If you practice just the ‘sun’ exercise, you’ll soon be able to slow your breathing anywhere, anytime, just by thinking of the word sun. You’ll actually feel your heart rate slow.

Hint: If the word ‘sun’ has negative associations for you for any reason, use another word that has positive meaning for you!

 

Anni Taylor has been an online writer and editor for the past eight years, both freelance and with Fairfax Digital.

Her current projects include Her Web Life and Her Business Life.