ketteringhealth.org 7 TIME FOR A CHECKUP Spring is also a good time to schedule an annual wellness visit with your primary care provider. If you don’t have a provider, visit ketteringhealth.org/primarycare or call 1-888-981-3524. “Pop in those headphones and turn cleaning into a workout,” Dr. Stofer says. “Anything that gets us up and moving around is good for your cardiovascular health and can improve your physical fitness.” Be sure to stay hydrated and alternate between tasks to avoid straining specific muscles. When lifting heavy objects, remember to lift with your legs and carry them close to your body to prevent injuries. Remove the junk Organizing and removing clutter can prevent falls or other injuries. This is especially important if you live with young children or elderly family members. Also, bugs and other pests gravitate toward messy areas. Removing junk can prevent these unwanted visitors from showing up. Decluttering your bedroom can improve sleep, says Julie Manuel, MSEd, clinical program manager of Kettering Health Behavioral Medical Center. “A bedside table stacked with junk could cause a sense of anxiety before bed, as you are seeing projects that are undone and unkempt,” Julie explains. “Creating a peaceful environment will help you sleep better and allow you to wake feeling rested and ready to be productive.” Release stress Spring cleaning can be a tonic for your mental health. “When we feel symptoms of depression or anxiety, we battle with feelings that are often out of control,” says Julie. “Cleaning, organizing, and uncluttering is a way for many people to take control and begin refocusing on the present.” Julie says following through on a plan to clean your house is also beneficial in other ways. “Achieving those small goals can release endorphins, because we have a sense of accomplishment and success.” Dr. Stofer adds that one’s spirit can also benefit. “When we clean out the physical aspects of our lives, it can inspire us to remove other things in our lives that don’t serve us, like unhealthy relationships or dependence on technology.” Refresh your medicine cabinet Get rid of expired prescription and overthe-counter medicines by dropping them off at a community “take back” day or bringing them to an approved collection disposal site. Visit takebackday.dea.gov to find locations near you. Keep pain and fever-reducing medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen on hand. Restock other over-the-counter medicines such as an antihistamine, a decongestant, cough medicine, cough drops, and antacids. Restock first-aid basics like antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, and bandages. For urinary tract infections, Dr. Stofer recommends having phenazopyridine available. Make sure you have a digital thermometer. Mercury thermometers can release poison into the air if broken. If you still have ipecac syrup around, remove it. The National Institutes of Health no longer recommends it as a remedy for accidental poisoning.
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