5 ways to “spring clean” your health

We often think of spring as a time of rebirth and renewal. It’s the time of year that we tend to clean out our closets, declutter our drawers, and tidy up our homes.

This idea of “spring cleaning” isn’t just nice from an aesthetic perspective. Several studies show a correlation between having a clean, tidy home and increased productivity, better mood, improved sleep, and less anxiety and stress.¹

But why stop at your home? Now is the perfect time to also “spring clean” your health, so to speak. Here are five simple, everyday things you can do to boost your health and better manage your prescriptions.

1. Organize your medicine cabinet

Simplify your medicine cabinet with a minimalist mindset. Keep only the essentials — current medications you’re taking and those you may need in an emergency. Check expiration dates and dispose of expired medications properly. This practice ensures that the medications you have on hand are safe and effective.

Don’t forget to keep all your medications in their original containers and store them in a cool, dark place that’s up, away, and out of sight to prevent medication misuse.

2. Create a medication schedule

Your medications work best when you take them as directed by your doctor. By simplifying your medication routine and establishing a straightforward medication schedule, you are more likely to stay on track.

Use a weekly pill organizer to plan doses for the entire week, set up alarms or reminders to take your medications on time, or create a habit of taking medications with specific daily activities like brushing your teeth or getting dressed.

If you still experience barriers preventing you from taking your medication consistently, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may have other suggestions to help.

3. Review and update your prescriptions

Regularly reviewing and updating your medications, including vitamins and supplements, is an important part of maintaining your health and well-being. Compile a complete list of your medications and schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider to discuss any concerns, potential side effects, and adjustments based on your current health conditions. This proactive approach helps keep everyone well informed, minimizing the risk of medication mistakes or interactions.

4. Take advantage of digital tools

Leveraging technology is an easy way to streamline your prescription management. If your benefits include Express Scripts^® Pharmacy, your free online account allows you to keep track of your entire prescription medicine cabinet in one place, confirm how many refills you have left on each prescription, and see if any prescriptions need to be renewed soon.

You can register for an online account in just a few minutes if you haven’t already. We recommend updating your communication preferences to allow text message alerts about your orders.

You can also take advantage of all these features in addition to dose reminders with the Express Scripts^® Pharmacy app.

5. Focus on the basics

Proper nutrition, hydration, regular physical activity, and quality sleep all play a vital role in enhancing your health and wellbeing. By concentrating on these basics, you can create a strong and sustainable foundation for long-term health improvements.

Support when you need it

If you have any questions about your medications or ways to spring clean your health, Express Scripts^® Pharmacy offers 24/7 access to specially trained pharmacists so you always have the support you need, whenever you need it.

1 Psychology Today: The Many Mental Benefits of Decluttering (February 15, 2023): psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-resilient-brain/202302/the-many-mental-benefits-of-decluttering.