IBA SUCCESS MAGAZINE Issue 2 Volume 5 | Page 12

LIFESTYLE n HEALTH & WELLNESS Spring Cleaning ­— Mind, Body and Soul By Marie Elmore S pring Cleaning of our Mind, Body, and Soul is just as important as the Spring Cleaning we consider for our homes or the workplace. Today, an unavoidable part of our lives is stress, which is brought about by some of the cleanings we need to accomplish of our mind, body, and soul. In today’s environment, many of us have so much that we are responsible for, that stress impacts our health mentally, physically, and spiritualy. There are several ways for the spring cleaning of our total being is possible, if we take specific steps. First, our mind and soul. Our lives are extremely busy and hectic. The greatest scarcest in our lives is silence. It is essential to take time each day to have a moment of silence. Practicing meditation will allow one to have time for our heads to clear and have time to enjoy peace and quiet to refresh our thoughts, have feelings of relaxation and feel relief from stress. Second, positive self-talk can assist in altering our mindset, promoting positive thinking and helping to reduce stress. When including yourself in positive self-talk, like I am capable, this supports feelings of positivity and the ability to get it done. Finally, consider keeping a journal. I found a trick that worked for me. I would only write down the great/good days that brought me a lot of happiness and peace. The rest of the days I would leave blank. Within three months, I had a month that had 6 out of 7 days a week that detailed only happy, loving, peaceful days. 10 IBA Success Magazine n VOL 5, Issue 2 BODY Take time to Spring Clean the body with food. It is time to eat differently. Soups in the winter, salads in the summer, but what to eat in the spring? The spring is time to cleanse. Leafy green vegetables are cleansing; especially endive, parsley, kale, beets, mustard greens, spinach, and arugula. Take advantage of making juice. Now flush the body system with water and herbal teas. This is the perfect way to cleanse and hydrate the system. Add lemon to drinking water. A hectic lifestyle causes stress. Take time to slow down and be present in the day. If you are living life at a frantic pace, it becomes difficult to appreciate life at a slower pace. By doing so, this will aid in relieving stress. Second, start engaging in a regular exercise routine, whether it is yoga, walking, or an exercise that is preferred. Physical activity and a continued exercise routine increases good endorphins, improves our energy levels, keeps our body parts and organs working like a fine machine. Let us get started today cleaning our mind, body and soul. Consider eating organic fruits and vegetables, which aid in eliminating the toxins through the bowel, improving health and wellbeing with your hands. Marie Elmore, Certified Wellness Advocate, Blogger & Author www.natural-u.com MIND & SOUL