Springtime often heralds the cleaning season. It commences with opening windows, sweeping out last autumn's detritus, and scrubbing out the winter cob webs. It can feel really good to have that oh-so-fresh feeling after months of cocooning inside. In this culture, cleaning can feel a bit like pre-op. We get a little crazy with abrasive detergents and anti-bacterial everything, especially since Covid. And it's good to lather up and get a bit scrubby as a spring ritual. Reducing clutter to relieve stress, reusing anything that makes your beautiful DIY heart happy, and recycling to avoid landfill overflow makes sense. But sanitizing everything inside and out is no way to celebrate the riot of new life that is springtime!
Here's an invitation to get dirty, to poke around in the mud a bit. Perhaps familiarize yourself with the many benefits of direct soil contact. Indulge in the joy-jolts of anti-depressant microbes in soil which cause cytokine levels to rise when gardeners inhale the bacteria, have physical contact with the dirt, and get it into their bloodstream through a cut or other skin opening. This results in the production of higher levels of serotonin, culminating in noticeable increased cognitive ability, lower stress, and improved focus and concentration. The beneficial, natural effects of the soil bacteria antidepressant can be felt for up to three weeks. Take that, Big Pharma! (Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/antidepressant-microbes-soil.htm)
So, let's wipe down the cabinets and shake out the curtains, if we must. Also, let's get outside with every moment of available daylight and play in the dirt! As a spring sale twofer, pop out your earbuds and listen to creation's symphony building with full orchestration right in your backyard. Natural soundscape lowers stress, lessens pain, improves positive affect, and elevates creativity. (https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/why-the-sounds-of-nature-are-so-good-for-health-and-wellbeing/) Plunge your fingers and toes into Earth's healing muck, open your ears to the wildscape, and start planning your springtime surge back into life!
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