If you’ve ever participated in the ritual known as #spring #cleaning, you know the effect that a #cleaner, #tidier and more #organized space can have. But while the concept has long been tied to the warmer temperatures and sense of renewal that spring brings, it can have benefits that last throughout the year.
Psychologists explain the penchant for seasonal cleaning as a “fresh start” effect. Fresh starts are often related to a temporal landmark that motivates people to make a change, set a new goal or initiate a new project. The new year and birthdays are classic examples, and many people start their diets or on Mondays. The change of seasons is a similar marker.
“People are not automatically, by default, thinking of spring as a time to start new habits,” says Wharton Professor Katherine Milkman. “It’s going to depend on the person and what resonates with them, but spring is a more natural fresh start for people than winter — spring is the season of rebirth and Easter, and everything is green.”
Spring cleaning is literally a fresh start in terms of #dirt and #grime. These build up when a home is closed against winter’s inclement weather, and a good spring cleaning can get rid of the dust and dirt that household surfaces such as shelves, floors and linens have collected during the dark and dreary winter months.
But spring cleaning is also a fresh start for the psyche. Clean spaces reduce stress and anxiety, boost productivity, help prevent respiratory issues and improve sleep, according to St. Joseph Hospital. The act of #cleaning and #decluttering itself burns calories, making it a healthy part of your routine.
A #decluttered life is a calm and effective one. “We can calm the inside by bringing order to the outer,” Zen Organizer Regina Leeds told CNN. “The average person lives in an environment that sabotages his or her best efforts at every turn. You can accomplish more, quicker and with ease if your environment nurtures and supports you.”
Get a fresh start this season. Start with a single room, sorting everything you don’t #trash immediately into #keep and #donate piles. Clean the space, #organize and store the keepers, and contact ClothingDonations.org for a free #donation #pickup. We’ll get that extra stuff out of your way fast — and you’ll be on the way to living your best life.