Spring is traditionally a time to deep-clean your home. It’s warm enough to open the windows and let in some fresh air. Plus, you can get the decluttering done before your summer vacation!
And while you’re cleaning house, you can clean up your health, too! Think of it as a way to get active — you just may find it more motivating.
Spring’s also a time to enjoy fun outdoor activities, and it’s always nice to come back indoors to a tidy house!
Read on to learn how to boost your step count, turn your spring cleaning into a fitness activity, and make healthy choices all season long.
Does Cleaning House Count As Exercise?
Any sort of physical activity can benefit your health. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. You just might knock those out in one weekend of vacuuming, mopping, and lugging trash to the curb!
To help your cleaning routine feel like a good workout, stick to the rhythm. Erratic movement or constantly bouncing between tasks can feel exhausting. Instead, focus on boosting your steps and maintaining your pace:
- Vacuum or mop in overlapping lines so you can do “laps” across each room.
- Put on some energetic music to keep you moving. Extra points if you squeeze in some dance steps while vacuuming a la Mrs. Doubtfire!
- Wiping down cabinets or mirrors? Focus on engaging your calf muscles as you reach upwards — it’s safer and gives your legs a mini-workout!
If you’re enlisting the family in your spring cleaning, make it a game to help everyone get moving. Here are some ideas:
Dust Dance Party
Hand everyone their duster pads or brushes. Put on a song and see who can dust the most things before the music ends!
Laundry Basketball
As you’re sorting dirty laundry, compete to see who can do the farthest and fanciest tosses into the bins. It’s a great way to raise your heart rate and strengthen your arm and shoulder muscles!
Vacuum Cleaner Derby
See who can finish vacuuming or mopping their section of floor first — but no shortcuts!
Why is Spring Cleaning Important for Your Health?
Spring cleaning is typically synonymous with deep cleaning: getting all the dust and grime out of your home. This can benefit your health in several ways.
Less dust and dander means less respiratory irritation and fewer allergens.
Removing grease, crumbs, etc. helps prevent pests that can spread disease.
A clean home is less likely to grow mold or mildew that could be harmful to your health.
Decluttering can help you relax and enjoy your home more — which is vital to your mental health!
Tidying and disinfecting your kitchen can encourage you to make more nutritious food at home. Plus, a clean fridge better resists fungal growth, helping to keep your produce fresh longer.
Spring Cleaning for Your Nutrition Plan
Our busy lives can make it challenging to eat healthy meals. While you’re deep-cleaning your home, consider how you can give your diet a refresh, too.
Toss the Salt
Did you know that sodium intake is higher in the U.S. than many other countries? Americans consume 3,400 mg on average, which is well above the recommended limit for a healthy heart.
This is partly because many processed foods already contain salt as a preservative. And many people were raised to add salt to your food once it’s on the table.
Try different seasonings, such as fresh thyme or ground mustard, to enhance your food.
Keep the Pans Put Away
You just finished tidying up your kitchen cabinets. No need to break out the pots and pans to cook those vegetables for dinner. Boiling or roasting veggies can decrease their nutritional value.
Try eating more raw produce to get as many of those vitamins and minerals as possible. For tougher veggies such as broccoli, try steaming it to release the flavors.
Avoid Pre-packaged Meals
We know those convenience foods are hard to resist, but they’re often packed with refined grains and filler ingredients. Here are some easy-to-make foods that are packed with nutrients:
Green Lentils: A cup of cooked lentils packs 12 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and a heart-healthy blend of potassium, iron, calcium, and folate.
Oatmeal: A cup of cooked steel-cut oatmeal gives you nearly 64 percent of your daily recommended value for manganese. It’s also a great source of zinc and B vitamins.
Sliced Fruits and Veggies with Peanut Butter: Celery is packed with potassium, carrots are rich in vitamins A and C, and snap peas offer vitamin B1 and phosphorus. All are delicious dipped in peanut butter, an excellent source of protein, unsaturated fat, and magnesium.
Pasta: Look for whole-grain pasta, or if you need a serving of veggies, spiraled zucchini noodles. Skip the heavy cream sauces and toss with a light combination of extra-virgin olive oil and herbs. Add cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, and your preferred protein for an easy and filling meal.
TIP: Consult with your physician before making drastic changes to your diet. They can also recommend the best nutritional choices for your needs. At the Active Marion Project, we’re endlessly grateful for the hardworking healthcare professionals who help us all meet our goals!
So now that the house is clean and you’re ready to fuel up with a nutritious diet, it’s time to get outside!
Besides your daily walks, here are some fun ways to enjoy the spring weather.
Pickleball
Even Target has joined the pickleball craze, selling paddles and accessories for this energetic game! It’s easy to set up and a great way to get your heart pumping.
Flow Arts
Release your inner flower child with hula-hooping and poi. You can buy your flow props at most toy stores. You don’t need to learn fancy tricks to enjoy this active yet soothing art form!
Cycling
Go for a bike ride with friends and get your arms, muscles, and core working in tandem. Many people find bike riding helps them get cardio without tiring out their feet.
Spring Into An Active Lifestyle
Spring cleaning is more than a chore: it’s an opportunity to have fun with your family, make your home healthier, and tidy up your wellness regimen.
Plus, a clean home can make it easier to adopt healthy habits! And cleaning can be a workout in and of itself. So if you’re dreading your deep cleaning, look on the bright side: you can boost your step count and pave the way for a healthier lifestyle.
In honor of National Doctors Day, which is March 30, we’d like to extend a sincere thanks to the Providers who partner with MCHD to help us cultivate a healthier community!
For free classes on nutrition and exercise, and step challenges for moral support, contact the Active Marion Project at AMP@mchdt.org. We can also bring a free wellness session to your worksite.