By the looks of my snow-laden backyard, I suppose it would be fair to say it is a bit early for me to be Spring cleaning, but cleaning I am. You see, as embarrassed as I am to admit, I have clutter--clutter that is invading both my physical and mental space and it's impeding my efforts for a healthier me. So, I have decided that it is time to clean house and my mind.

Rarely do we make the connection that clutter can affect our health and fitness, but it can.

Impact of Physical Clutter

• Increased Stress: Staring at piles of  unread magazines on the kitchen counter, searching through the overflow of old notes pinned on the cork board and rifling through a closet full of clothes that no longer fit can cause anxiety and stress. Experiencing these annoyances on a daily basis can result in chronically elevated levels of cortisol--the stress hormone. Chronically high cortisol levels have been linked to "emotional" eating and weight gain, as well as to heart disease.
• Accidental Injuries: Book bags, clothes, toys, etc., that have been left on the floor can lead to accidental falls and potentially serious injuries.
• Fire Hazard: Stacks of papers and other items can potentially serve as fuel to spread a fire that has been accidentally started.
• Health Hazard: Cluttered areas can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and mildew--especially when items are stored in dark, damp places such as the basement.
• Impedes Efforts to Exercise: It is hard to use your treadmill when it has become a storage space for last season's clothes. Likewise, a bike ride is unlikely if you have to wade through an accumulation of yard tools to reach your bike.
• Trigger for Mental Clutter: Holding onto mementos of yesteryear has the potential to hold you back by creating emotional clutter. Often, we use these possessions to define who we are -- which can be okay unless these items set self-identity in "stone." This can keep us from reaching our full potential. Life is a series of moments that define who we are. Past moments should be used as footholds to take us through present moments and into the future, not lock us into yesteryear.

Remove the physical clutter from your home and clear the emotional clutter in your mind for an easier travel down the road to better health and fitness.