Spring is a time for rolling-up your sleeves, breaking out the soap and water and giving a deep cleaning to your home. However, according to Dr. Bradley Nelson, a holistic chiropractic physician and medical intuitive, Spring is also the perfect time to remove any emotional clutter that may have built up over the gloomy Winter months to rejuvenate your life.
“Unresolved emotions from negative and traumatic life experiences are responsible for guiding our choices on a daily basis,” said Nelson. “For example, if you have a trapped emotion of anger from a past event, you'll be more likely to become angry when future situations arise that may upset you. Becoming aware of and acknowledging feelings that lurk beneath the surface is an important first step.”
According to the American Psychological Association, rising stress levels are damaging the mental and physical health of Americans. In a recent study, income, employment security and the nation’s economy remain three of the top stressors of survey respondents.
Dr. Nelson also says that listening to your body when it is stressed means knowing when to say “No.”
“You shouldn't volunteer to take on additional tasks if it interferes with your health, your family, or your stress level–it won't be worth it,” he said.
In addition to decluttering negative emotions, Nelson states that creating a possible moderate level of physical fitness by finding interesting ways of exercising and maintainable healthy diet will also help to minimize stress.
“Find a way to work exercise into your daily chores," Dr. Nelson advises. “Challenge yourself to get the whole house cleaned in half the normal time, and you'll work up a sweat with all the scrubbing and running from room to room. And when you go out to eat with friends, come prepared with stories to tell, so you're talking more and—as a result—eating more slowly. Eat your salad first, so you fill up on live food instead of the sugary and fattening stuff and processed foods."