By Robin Figliola, Virtua Primary Care

Spring means new beginnings—prime time to tidy up your wellness routine. Here are five tips for a fresh start.

Your Diet

Start with a food safety check. Scour your cabinets, pantry, and fridge for expired dates and spoiled food. That half-eaten bag of chips you’ve been saving? Toss it.

Restock with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Shop at your local farmers market or grocery store and fill your basket with green, leafy vegetables like spinach and arugula, radishes, asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes. Virtua's Eat Well mobile farmers markets and grocery store also offer many affordable, healthy options.

Make fresh produce a keystone of a heart-healthy diet, along with whole grains, fish and poultry, low-fat dairy products, non-tropical vegetable oils, and nuts.

Your Fitness Habits

First, tally how much you currently move. Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. You should also do two or three days of 20- to 30-minute muscle-strengthening sessions per week.

If you fall short, set goals to help you get active. Fun, seasonal activities keep you motivated. Working in your garden, walking around the neighborhood, riding your bike, playing basketball in your driveway, and cleaning strenuously all count.

Your Skin Care

Go through and clean out your bathroom drawers and cabinets, as skin care products don’t last forever. First, scrap expired sunscreen. It may not work as well.

Makeup usually lacks dates, but germs like bacteria can build up on these products over time. Get rid of any that clump, smell bad, or have changed color. Also toss:

• Lip products after six months
• Eyeshadow after six to nine months
• Concealer and foundation after a year

Your Digital Life

Social media keeps us connected. Yet too much time online threatens our mental health.

Consider trying a digital detox. In one study, limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily for two weeks improved mental well-being.

If the content on your feed gives you angst, delete the app.

Your Work-Life Balance

Take time off, even if you have nothing planned. A break from the meetings, emails, and spreadsheets may be just what the doctor ordered to help you unwind, relax, and recharge.

And if you do not have one already, consider adopting a pet. Whether it's a dog or a cat, playing with a furry friend can decrease your work-induced blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels—and make a difference in an animal's life.

Spring is the perfect time to get your body, mind, and soul back on track. Making even a few changes to your routine can make a world of difference.

With You in Health, Wellness, and Life

Primary care goes beyond helping you when you're sick—it’s also about keeping you healthy for the long run. Make an appointment with a Virtua primary care provider online or call 888-847-8823.