Science has confirmed that the third Monday in January is the bleakest and most depressing of the year. It seems that people struggle with their post-Christmas debt and come-down throughout January, thanks to a combination of bad weather, dark days, festive weight-gain and the return to normality.

This year, so called ‘Blue Monday’ occurs on January 16th. If you want to banish the blues this year, there are several things you can do, including eating healthily, exercising and reaching out to loved ones. Alternatively, you can give yourself a much needed January boost by cleaning.

Yes, that’s right, the simple act of cleaning your home can boost your morale and give you a mid-winter lift. How, you ask? Well, cleaning delivers a range of mental and physical benefits that can give us a boost when we need it most.

CLEANING CAN REDUCE STRESS AND DEPRESSION

According to a study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, women who described their home as cluttered, messy and dirty displayed relatively high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. And this shouldn’t be a surprise. Living in a cluttered, messy environment can become oppressive. It can affect your mood, your sleep patterns and your relationships.

Cleaning your way through January will help you to stay in control, and feel better about both yourself and your home. So get vacuuming, polishing and scrubbing. A thorough winter clean should help you to relax, and give you the time to focus on doing things that make you happy.

CLEANING CAN HELP YOU EAT MORE HEALTHILY

According to the medical journal Psychological Science, people who worked and lived in a tidy area were twice as likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar than those in a messy environment. Dirt and messy areas can be stressful for the human brain to deal with. In these situations, people are more likely to turn to comfort food for solace.

CLEANING CAN HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER

How many times have you tossed and turned in bed at night at the thought of a greasy oven, a messy living room or a grimy toilet? Mess makes most people stressed, and stress is an enemy of good sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recently revealed that most people get a better night’s sleep when their bedding is clean, fresh and pressed. So get your home in order throughout the day, and you should improve your chances of a decent sleep at night.

CLEANING CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

An hour of vigorous exercise can help you to burn off up to 400 calories. And if that’s not impressive enough, there is also evidence to suggest that a clean and organised environment helps us to think more about the foods we consume. Pursuing a healthy lifestyle requires planning, organisation and a clear mind. When you and your home is organised, you’re more likely to use that same ethos in the planning of your meals and snacks. If you don’t plan in advance, you’re far more likely to rely on ready meals and junk food.

CLEANING CAN BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

The Journal of Neuroscience revealed that clutter, mess and a dirty environment can interfere with concentrations levels. Processing too many images at once puts a strain on your visual cortex, and hinders your ability to process information. So a ‘clear desk’ policy is a great way to start increasing your productivity in the workplace. Take this approach in your home life, and not only will you be able to see the wood for the trees, you’ll free up more time for exercise and healthy living.

CLEANING CAN IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Clutter and a dirty living environment can create a barrier between you and the people you love most. Mess can lead to stress, conflict and confrontation, and take your focus away from developing constructive, mutually beneficial relationships. In addition, you won’t have the time for working on the relationships in your life if you’re continually clearing and cleaning. Get organised with a stringent cleaning schedule, and you’ll have more time and energy to spend with the people you care about.

Stress, anxiety and depression are illnesses like any other, so you should speak to a doctor if you’re concerned that your symptoms are severe or worsening. However, if you’re simply experiencing a case of January blues, getting your house in order could do you the world of good.