Brighter days and sunny skies are finally on the way, with our thoughts turning to freshening up our homes, clearing out cupboards, de-cluttering rooms and having a good Spring clean.
But as well as making your home look, feel and smell lovely, did you know Spring cleaning can have some surprising emotional, psychological and physical health benefits?
- Spring cleaning can help reduce stress
In need of a fresh start? The process of sorting through your things, deciding what you want to keep and recycling or donating unwanted items can be liberating. Cleaning can also provide a distraction and give you something to control – researchers at the University of Connecticut theorised that during times of stress people gravitate towards repetitive actions, such as cleaning, in order to regain control.
- A tidy home helps you make healthier choices
Yes, really! Your surroundings can influence your preferences and choices. Disorganisation is associated with less physical activity, but according to a study by researchers at the University of Minnesota, organization and order have been associated with choosing to eat more healthily and being more generous.
- Reduce your risk of at-home injuries
Cleaning and tidying can help prevent slips, trips and falls in the home. Keep hallways, stairs and doorways clear of obstacles and make sure you have a dedicated home for everyday objects that tend to end up on the floor – shoes, bags and sports equipment are regular offenders! Now is a great time to reorganise – use cable tidies to keep power cords and cables out of the way and repair any tripping hazards such as loose floorboards.
- Spring cleaning can help to keep allergies at bay
A clean home can support a healthy immune system and help to prevent some respiratory issues and allergies triggered by dust, mould, mildew and pet hair. These pollutants can all gather over the winter months – focus on lesser-cleaned areas such as lights and lamps, the legs of furniture, on top of picture frames, mirrors, cupboards and bookcases.
- It can save you money in the long run
When you can see what you’ve got, you’re less likely to forget you already own something and buy a duplicate. You may even discover things you forgot you had! Keeping your home clean and tidy also means taking better care of your possessions, which can last longer as a result.
- A clean bedroom can improve your sleep
According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, 62% of people said that a clean bedroom makes all the difference to a good night’s sleep. People who reported making their bed in the morning were also 19% more likely to rest well every night.
- Are you thinking “What’s the point, it will just get messy again”?
Wrong! Studies have shown that people litter more in littered environments – if your desk is messy, you’re likely to keep adding to the problem; but once you tidy and clean, you won’t want to spoil your hard work. Clean one room and see how you feel – you might just give yourself a boost of motivation to keep going!
