Springtime is here, and I already feel a wave of refreshing energy through the air. Not only are the seasons changing but my physical and mental habits are too. When the sun begins to shine a little more and the plants outside are getting greener, I instantly get a boost of motivation to clean my space – including my mental space. Here are three ways to spring-clean your mind and space. 

Start by cleaning your physical space

Organizing and decluttering my room from old clothes to dust bunnies never fails to boost my mood. I feel rejuvenated, and it sets a strong point of motivation for other aspects of my life such as schoolwork or picking up a new hobby. By clearing away the things that are no longer serving you any purpose, you can apply that healthy mindset to the things you might’ve otherwise missed. Set a timer at the end of the day for 20 minutes, and try to get as much cleaning done as possible. It’s a great way to start and will make you feel more productive than ever.

Change up your morning or night routine 

For me, immediately reaching for my phone in the mornings is something I want to change. Endlessly scrolling through Instagram stories, Snapchats and TikToks start my day off on the wrong foot, as it only leads me down a road of comparison and takes away my motivation to get out of bed. Lately, I have placed a journal and pen on my nightstand instead so I can switch up how I spend my mornings. Taking an extra five minutes to plan your day ahead, reflect on your current goals or set intentions for the week can have a huge impact on your mindfulness. If you’re not the biggest fan of journaling, try a five-minute yoga flow right when you wake up or before you head to bed to give yourself some “me time.” 

Cook with spring produce 

As the weather gets warmer, I find myself craving colder foods such as salads, sandwiches and smoothies to fuel up on. Just like cleaning your physical space, the food you eat can have an impact on how you feel mentally. During the wintertime, I mainly focused on eating warm foods like bread, pasta and baked goods that felt comforting to me, but these foods did not fuel me up as much as they could have. Eating plant-based, whole and unprocessed food makes me feel my best and allows me to shine from the inside out. I love biting into a cold Honeycrisp apple after studying outside or enjoying snap peas and hummus after a long day of class. Incorporating your favorite spring produce can help add some freshness into your springtime mindfulness practice. 

Spring-cleaning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming chore. But rather, spring cleaning your mind and space is a great opportunity for you to reset your routines so you can continue to grow and flourish throughout the rest of the year.