Spring is a good time for a fresh start. Spring cleaning has traditionally been the physical kind – decluttering and removing things from your home that are no longer needed and doing those ‘big’ chores and deep cleans around the house and garden.
But it’s also a great time to do a full stocktake of all the important aspects of your life, from finances to fitness and diet to daily habits.
Our Bond University experts have some top tips to help you spring clean your life.
Finances
Review your budget and assess your financial health. This means assessing not only your spending but the market value of your major assets including superannuation balances and value of key possessions. This will help you work out where you are at financially.
Identify if there are things you bought or paid for that haven’t been used. Subscription services are a big one – can you cull streaming services you haven’t used, or used less than others? It’s also worth tracking any free trials you may have signed up for and noting when the free period ends, to avoid being stung by fees.
Get your tax affairs in order. The deadline to lodge a tax return is October 31, and penalties apply if you miss the deadline.
Review your big-ticket items – mortgage, insurance, superannuation – to ensure you are getting the very best deal. With insurance, assess whether you still need all the types you have - are they still relevant to your life, or do you need a different sort of insurance? Remember that setting aside some time to look for a better deal, rather than rolling over with your current provider, could save you big money.
Also consider whether you need to put more money aside for emergencies, or even just the upcoming Christmas season, and if you need to reduce expenditure for planned future events.
Finally, review your short, medium and long-term financial goals. As we move through life our needs and wants change and regular reviews ensure our financial habits are fit for purpose.
Dr Simone Kelly – Associate Professor of Finance.
Mental health
Spring is a ‘temporal landmark’ - an event or marker that can act as a signal for change and renewal and a great time to do a Spring clean of your mind. Carving out some time to review and reflect through journaling is a simple way to gain some clarity. Writing things down can help to organise your thoughts and feelings and even reduce stress
Do something just for yourself that feels like self-care. Many of us have busy lives meeting everyone else’s needs. Use this transitional season to take time just for yourself and that brings you joy. It could be anything from a walk on the beach, booking a class to learn something new or simply sitting down with a good book.
Ask for help if you are struggling. That could be as simple as chatting to a close friend, but there are also services like the Black Dog Institute, Lifeline and Beyond Blue, as well as your GP. Men may be less inclined to seek help and support, so checking in with your mates and engaging with men’s mental health conversations, through podcasts, for example, can be helpful.
Dr Cher McGillivray - Assistant Professor of Psychology.
Diet
Spring’s abundance of seasonal fruit and vegetables make it a great time to refresh your meal planning after the cosy comfort foods we all crave in winter.
Latest research advises aiming for 30 different ‘plants’ in the diet over a month. Incorporating some of the increased variety of fruit and veg that becomes available over spring and summer can make this an easier task. Give produce a quick rinse under running water for about a minute before eating. Research shows this can remove a significant portion of pesticide residues while also washing away dirt and bacteria.
As the weather warms up, we naturally lean towards lighter meals and outdoor dining. The humble Aussie BBQ is a great cooking method, especially for lean proteins, so lean into al fresco mode. For extra flavour and health benefits, marinate meat with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano as their antioxidants can help reduce the formation of carcinogens when meat is grilled.
It’s also the season of tropical and stone fruits – try adding them to savoury dishes as well to boost plant intake and variety.
Carolyn English – PhD, Registered Nutritionist and Senior Research Fellow.
Fitness routine
After the dark mornings and chill of winter, the Spring sunshine and longer days provide a perfect opportunity to freshen up your fitness routine.
Water-based activities are great for those nursing an injury or with mobility issues and the warmer weather makes dipping in a toe much more appealing. Consider joining the growing ranks of cold swimming devotees now that those early mornings aren’t quite so chilly – many swear by the mental health benefits too.
In a fitness rut? If you’ve been hitting the gym all winter, shake things up with some outdoor exercise instead. Outdoor group fitness classes, boot camps and yoga are often available at low cost through local councils.
Don’t forget to hydrate! Being outside in the sun and heat makes it important to ensure you’re getting enough water, and don’t forget to be sun safe with a hat and sunscreen.