Spring has definitely sprung and with lockdown restrictions lifting, it feels like we are awakening from a very long hibernation. What better time to spring clean your life, out with the old and in with the new, writes Carl Benton.
If you do not know where to start, unsure of which way to turn or lacking the motivation required. Do not be disillusioned, try looking at it from a different angle and make 2021 the best year ever!
There is an Indian Belief that we are all houses that contain four rooms*: These rooms are all the same size and are identified as being, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. For many of us, we tend to reside in one, maybe two rooms for the majority of our day, week, year, and life. However, the very act of ignoring or avoiding a room, can leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. Unless we devote time in all rooms each and every day even if only for a moment, we will slowly begin to realise that we are not complete. With the onset of spring and the energy it brings, perhaps it is time to ‘visit’ each room and spring clean your life!
Try to work through some of our suggestions at first and then come up with your own ideas!
SPRING CLEAN YOUR PHYSICAL
Change up a gear with your exercise: Try a new class, add an extra workout to your week
Review your food choices: Plan your meals for the week in advance, you will save time and money, plus you will be more likely to make healthier choices.
Aim to have 8 hours sleep per night.
Pay your body back with a regular massage or stretching.
Supplement your diet with extra nutrients and drink more water.
SPRING CLEAN YOUR MENTAL
Declutter your thoughts, make lists and complete them!
Switch off your phone and any background noise.
Use your brain and learn something new.
Organise your desk, files and declutter.
SPRING CLEAN YOUR EMOTIONAL
Declutter your relationships – invest in good relationships – ditch bad relationships.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Be creative, write draw, paint, or garden.
Read for pleasure not just for work.
SPRING CLEAN YOUR SPIRITUAL
Be kind to yourself, treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Pay it forward, do something good for others, unconditionally.
Spend time in nature.
End each day by writing down 3 things that you are grateful for.
Spending time in each room, will help you gain a greater perspective and bring more balance to your life. Yes, there will always be times when your work – life balance is way off centre. Invariably we will compensate with weekends and holidays, assuring ourselves that this is a temporary blip and normal service will be resumed shortly. Be aware, that this same pattern can be mirrored with our eating, drinking and exercise habits. As life speeds up and stress levels rise, our habits can change for the worse, binge drinking, yo-yo dieting and falling off the exercise wagon are common occurrences.
Finding and maintaining balance may often appear elusive, yet we can work towards that goal, every moment of every day. Remember that we stay in balance best by taking care of the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our self. Once established, balance will give you precious time; time with family and friends, time alone, time to work, time to play, and time to live the life you want to live.
Here’s to your best year ever!
*Rumer Godden (House of Four Rooms)
Prior to establishing the Personal Best, Carl Benton taught Physical Education, coached teams, and ran fitness classes for 10 years in the New Forest. Carl was also a regular contributor to Ultra Fit magazine, writing over 40 articles in collaboration with Pete Cohen.
