After a full year of stay-at-home orders, you’re probably very familiar with the current state of your house or apartment. In fact, the odds are pretty darn high that you’re ready for a refresh. And a deep clean this spring is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Plus, as it turns out, spring cleaning is good for your health. So if you’ve been looking for a way to make your home and yourself feel better, this is it.
Beyond giving you the satisfaction of a job well done, a spring clean delivers some serious personal perks. Here are four ways spring cleaning is good for your health.
It supports your mental wellbeing
A messy space can make for a messy mind. Studies show that clutter makes it harder to focus and an untidy bedroom can interfere with your sleep quality.
Ultimately, when you look around, your brain takes in what it sees. And if that’s piles and grime, you’re probably not going to feel too great, even if you don’t explicitly call out that feeling for yourself. The good news is that the flip-side is true, too. Looking around and surveying your newly sparkling space can make you feel calmer and more focused, even boosting productivity.
Long story short, one of the key ways that spring cleaning is good for your health is that it makes it easier for your mind to relax. And that’s something we could all use more of right now.
It can help with spring allergies
The spring season means fresh growth and more sunshine. That also means lots of plants are growing and seeding, which can make for allergies.
In a time when sneezing in the grocery store can earn you more than your fair share of dirty looks, you definitely don’t want spring allergies. Fortunately, spring cleaning can help keep those symptoms at bay.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology has some tips to help you get the most out of your spring clean. They recommend adding a to-do on your list to swap out your air filter and giving mold-prone areas like the bathroom some extra attention.
It’s a workout
If you don’t feel like lacing up your sneakers, no worries. You can get your sweat on and get your cleaning tackled at the same time. Spring cleaning is good for your health because it’s a workout — and a surprisingly good one.
Moving furniture around, scrubbing your bathroom, and washing windows all burn 100 calories in just 30 minutes.
It can keep you safer
Tidying up minimizes tripping hazards. It seems simple, but trip-and-fall accidents result in a whopping 8 million emergency room visits each year. Get those shoes put away and that rug smoothed out to keep yourself safer at home.
Similarly, spring cleaning is good for your health because it can keep your kitchen more sanitary. Give all of your cutting boards, countertops, and your stove and oven a good scrub. Clear out your fridge and sanitize all the surfaces, and don’t forget to clean your sink, sponges, and rags, too.
Knock out your spring clean and you’ll have a healthier, calmer-feeling home. That’s pretty motivating, right?
Spring is a great time to refresh. If you’d like to talk to a mental health professional to help yourself make the most of this spring season, we’re here! And we’re still offering telehealth appointments to keep us all safe.
