Spring’s longer days bring milder weather and a sense of renewal for many of us, making it an ideal time for a thorough deep cleaning. But if these characteristics aren’t enough to energize and motivate you, here are five surprising health and wellness benefits of spring cleaning:
1. Increases your physical activity levels
Spring cleaning helps raise your physical activity levels because it may include active tasks like picking up and carrying items, moving furniture around, scrubbing, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping and reaching up to clean high surfaces. One study even found that people with clean homes are more active than those with messy homes. Housework and light chores work different muscle groups and can raise your heart rate, which can improve your overall strength and cardiovascular health, and lower your risk of heart disease.
2. Spring cleaning can improve your mental health
Sorting through, reorganizing, throwing out, donating and recycling items that don’t serve you anymore can feel freeing and refreshing since it leaves more room for things that spark joy and pleasure. Research has shown that clutter-free living spaces positively affect people’s moods. One study found that for each extra hour of cleaning a week, the average study participant’s happiness increased by 53%. Other research has shown that doing just 20 minutes of housework can lower feelings of anxiety and stress by up to 20%.
These findings may partly be explained by the fact that the physical activity involved in spring cleaning causes our bodies to release endorphins and serotonin, feel-good brain chemicals that can improve our moods and reduce our anxiety and stress levels.
3. Makes you more focused and productive
Research has found that clutter significantly reduces the brain’s processing ability and that people in disorganized spaces are less productive. Other research shows that clutter can be visually distracting and act as a reminder of unfinished tasks and chores.
When you’re less distracted by surrounding chaos or clutter, you free up mental space, letting you concentrate on a given task more fully. That’s because de-cluttering can help you clear your head and focus better. So, if you work or study at home, make your space neat and tidy to eliminate distractions during your workday and to help improve your focus and motivation.
4. Supports your immune system
If you have seasonal allergies, it might not just be pollen causing your sniffles and sneezes. It could also be mold, mildew, dust and pet dander that may have built up in your home over the winter when there’s less air circulation. Having a clean home can help you breathe better by preventing respiratory problems and supporting a healthy immune system.
As you go about your spring cleaning, dust your furniture, baseboards, railings, windowsills, the tops of mirrors, frames, lights and lamps, and other spots that are difficult to reach. Also consider vacuuming your rugs, curtains, floors and ceiling cobwebs to get rid of dust and keep the air cleaner.
To reduce the spread of germs and prevent illness, clean objects that you or others in your household touch or use frequently, like cell phones, tablets, TV remotes and laptops, or that could come into contact with your eyes, nose or mouth, such as bedding and towels.
5. Lowers your risk of injury
It’s not surprising that a home with too much clutter raises the risk of injury for you, your family members, housemates or visitors. Having a clutter-free living space makes bumps, trips, slips and falls less likely. This is especially important in homes where older adults live, as falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and injury deaths for those 65 or older in Canada. So, as you’re spring cleaning, remove items like bags, shoes and sports equipment from hallways, staircases, and pathways, secure rugs, and stick cords and wires to baseboards to prevent tripping.
From increasing your physical activity levels to improving your mental health, it’s clear that spring cleaning offers several benefits. So, instead of thinking of it as a dreaded chore, think of spring cleaning as an opportunity to improve your health and well-being. Plus, cleaning your surroundings and feeling more organized when you’re at home can help you clean up other parts of your life like your exercise routine and sleep habits.
