Sam Wood: Five ways to spring clean your health

Whether it be your desk, your inbox or your house, a spring clean is a great way to regain focus and be more productive. When it comes to your health it’s no different.

I see the best results when people wipe the slate clean rather than tip-toe around and make one or two changes. So here are five practical tips that could be the catalyst for the spring clean that you desperately need.

1. Perform a pantry audit

A total pantry overhaul is a great way to declutter your kitchen, start fresh and get rid of any out-of-date ingredients. It’s also a good excuse to chuck out any packaged and processed foods and replace them with healthy pantry staples like quinoa and tinned tuna.

Take a good look at your spice rack too; it might be time to replenish some with new herbs and spices as these can lose potency over time.

2. Move in the morning

I’m always telling my clients that the best time of day to exercise is when you actually will. But as the mornings become lighter and the weather warms up, it’s the perfect opportunity to get moving in the morning.

Reassess your routine and try to include a few morning workouts into your week – this is an awesome way to set your circadian rhythm, or internal body clock, helping to regularise your sleep and wake rhythm and ensure a better night’s sleep.

3. Unplug

I like to use the start of spring as a seasonal reminder to slow down and take a break from the digital world. Think about minimising your technology time where possible, by focusing on being mindful and present in your day. Leave your phone out of reach while you eat, for instance, and focus on each bite. I also love going for a quick, brisk walk without my phone to clear my head.

These simple acts are some of the easiest ways to reset and recharge.

4. Switch up your produce

One of my favourite things about spring is making the most of the fresh veggies and fruit in season. I’m always telling my 28ers that variety is the spice of life, so why not ditch the winter comfort foods and experiment with in-season ingredients like rhubarb or grapefruit?

My tip is to write out a shopping list and visit the market first. Only visit the supermarket for anything that you can’t get at the market, not the other way around. Prioritising fresh produce makes all the difference.

5. Start a sleep routine

When it comes to keeping our health in check, sleep is all too often at the bottom of our list of priorities. But the importance of getting adequate sleep is something that I cannot stress enough.

Take a look at how much sleep you have been getting each night. I believe that seven hours is the sweet spot – so if you are getting less (or more), focus on putting a proper sleep routine in place.

Avoid technology in the lead-up to bed, and ensure you go to bed at the same time every night in a cool, dark bedroom. A better sleep routine will allow you to bounce out of bed with more energy, well rested to take on the day ahead.

The time to start is now. Change your habits now, do the work now, to feel and look your best.

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