With Spring in full bloom, this is a time to refresh, reset, and renew. Many people think of spring as a time to thoroughly clean living and working spaces. This is also an opportunity to spring clean your mind and body through self care.
Spring Cleaning Origins
The actual term dates back decades through age-old cultural practices. This annual cleaning of the home came about after winter passed to clean up the heating residue that coal and wood left in the home. There are also religious and cultural roots for the term relating to the time of year of Passover and Lent. This is also the Persian New Year which is celebrated with a 13-day ritual that involves cleaning the home and even refreshing wardrobes with new clothes.
What is Self Care?
The definition of self care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, particular during periods of stress. It’s important to recognize self care does not translate to selfish care, rather quite the opposite. It is nearly impossible to nurture and give back to others if our own tanks are depleted. When we take care of ourselves we are giving the best version of ourselves to those around us and are able to project that onto others through kindness, patience, and mindfulness.
There are different types of self care to practice and both fall into emotional and physical categories.
Emotional — allowing oneself to experience feelings even not-so-good ones. Acknowledge, honor, move through them, and allow them to pass. This is also an opportunity to be kind to oneself — having the same compassion and kindness for yourself that you have for those who you love and care for the most
Physical – taking care of the body through exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.
Bikram Yoga is an excellent way to practice self care — it allows you to take 90 minutes of your day improving your mental and physical wellbeing. It enhances patience, mindfulness, and makes us more pleasant people to be around to family, friends, and coworkers. So use this season to spring clean your mind and body through self care.