Donate as You Spring-Clean

If you’re feeling more energetic and optimistic lately, it’s likely a physical response to the expanded daylight hours and warmer weather that has come to be known as spring fever. Embrace it, says Lakeview Regional Medical Center, and expand upon those good feelings. Open the windows, plant a garden, leave work early, exercise or go for a hike outdoors, and get together with your friends without screens in-between. Or use that spring fever to do some #spring #cleaning — and #donate any extra #stuff you don’t need to ClothingDonations.org. #SpringFever

Tap Spring Fever for Spring Cleaning

Symptoms of #spring fever include the urge to exercise, eat light, sleep less and smile more, says Bustle. But the concept of spring #cleaning is so deeply embedded in the culture that it may be one of the earliest warning signs. Give in to the urge and scrub your house #clean of the dirt and grime that have accumulated over the winter. Many cleaning products will be on sale, and you can always look to The Organizing Blog for advice on making specific areas of the home such as the garage, bedrooms, kitchen and garden more #organized and clean. #SpringFever

Spring Fever: Better Than Before

“Spring fever” was once an unpleasant malady marked by swelling, loose teeth and seeping wounds, according to Reader’s Digest. Today, the term is more positive, indicating renewed enthusiasm, energy and an optimistic outlook. The difference is the increase in light: “First, it tells the circadian clock when dawn occurs, keeping our bodies synchronized to earth,” University of Pittsburgh professor Kathryn A. Roecklein told NBC. “Second, light has acute alerting effects that can make people feel less depressed, more alert, cognitively better able to process tasks and more energetic within just a few minutes.” #SpringFever

Make the Most of Spring Fever

Spring fever is a real phenomenon, says Scientific American. Being outdoors on a warm, sunny spring day is proven to lighten the mood and increase energy, and spring may even intensify romantic impulses by bringing on hormonal fluctuations. Make the most of your seasonal reawakening to get the things done that have been nagging at you throughout the winter — whether that means #decluttering and #organizing, exercising, planning a trip, #spring #cleaning or something else. Things just get easier when warm weather is on the way. #SpringFever

Make the Most of a Spring Break

With school spring breaks and Easter celebrations, many students will have a full week off this month to spend with their families or take a trip. That kind of down time is rare to get, so if you have (or can take) the week off together, make the most of it.

There are plenty of options for a cost-effective trip for the entire family, Family Destinations says, from spring skiing in Colorado and Upstate New York to soaking up the sun in Puerto Rico, Cancun or Jamaica.

Thriftier still — but just as fun — are road trips and camping trips. Whether you want to sleep under the stars or see the city lights, there’s likely an option within a day’s drive of home. Try Roadtrippers and other apps to plan your adventure.

The thriftiest and safest option, of course, is the staycation. While it might be a letdown for kids with wanderlust, you can make it special by planning leisure activities that you don’t normally make time for on school days.

Hikes, scavenger hunts, museum visits and art projects are all fair game. Or visit the library, camp out in the backyard or make your own film festival, National Heritage Academies suggests.

Another good idea is to spend a day or two #decluttering and #cleaning up your house in order to get it ready for the busy summer season. Chances are that there’s a lot of #stuff that needs to find a new home, not to mention some dirt and grime from the winter.

Sort through that stuff, and #donate whatever you don’t want to ClothingDonations.org. Challenge your kids to sort through, #organize and #declutter their possessions, too; there may be any number of school outfits that no longer fit or toys that get ignored.

Then, reward them (and/or yourself) with a special #spring-break outing! You’ll come home to a #cleaner, more #clutter-free place.