March 20, 2017
Although it may not feel like it yet, spring is just around the corner. Being that the season is a time of renewal and new beginnings, spring is a great time to check in with your body and take mental and physical inventory.
What, if anything has been on your mind? Is there anything specific issue you would like to address? Are there any annual appointments that you have yet to schedule? What is the state of your physical environment? What changes, if any, would you like to make?
All of these questions can help bring up things that may be lingering for you and now is the perfect time to check them off your list, thereby clearing your mind.
Below are five things that I will be doing to prepare for a healthier season ahead.
A quick trip to your general practitioner can actually tell you a lot about your health. Have your weight, blood pressure and heart rate checked and ask for a basic blood workup to test things like cholesterol and iron.
Spring and fall are my preferred times to visit the dermatologist, because you are truly supposed to have your skin checked when you haven’t been exposed to the sun in a while. Also, there is still time to heal before summer if they have to remove anything.
I keep my dental appointments on a similar schedule. I actually like getting my teeth cleaned so it feels more like a special treat when I go rather than something that I dread. I always schedule in the spring for a cleaning right before my birthday in May and then again in November right before the holidays.
Batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be changed annually and turning the clocks ahead is a good signal that it is time to change these devices too. Also air and water filters should be cleaned and changed regularly, now can be a good time to do that as well.
Finally, with summer fast approaching and more seasonal offerings available to us, now is the time I love to add more fish and vegetables to my diet. Swap fish for red meat wherever you can (think fish tacos!) and nix winter vegetables for spring and summer varieties to keep things interesting.
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I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me. I will continue to keep you posted on my health journey. Follow me for updates @christiemandia.
