Spring is a period of renewal, with longer days, brightly-coloured buds, and fresh birdsong. As we shed our oversized winter coats and thick blankets, it’s the perfect time to remove the cobwebs that have collected in our homes and minds by spring cleaning.

The Benefits

Our physical environment directly impacts our emotional well-being. Studies have linked clutter, mess, and dirt in homes and offices to fatigue and depression, as well as decreased focus, confusion, irritability and tension. In contrast, an organized home tends to produce more positive emotions like calmness and a sense of well-being.

Whether it’s a drawer filled with junk, a closet stuffed with clothes, or a never-ending pile of paper, clutter keeps us stuck, distracted, and stressed. Clutter isn’t just about junk mail or unsorted socks; it’s the thoughts and emotions that get in your way, too. When we clear things out, our energy, outlook, and stress levels improve.

A deep spring clean is also the opportunity to eliminate things that no longer serve you, which also lightens and brightens the psyche. Removing unused items can feel like a weight lifted off your shoulders and can reframe your mind to tackle other projects that you’ve been putting off.

The physical act of cleaning can also directly lower your anxiety by providing a repetitive rhythm similar to mindfulness which is calming. Reorganizing and choosing what goes and what stays can give you a sense of control and empowerment.

For some people, giving the shelves a quick dust, wiping down the kitchen, or even organizing the closet is just as beneficial for their mental health as meditation or yoga. The simple sight of a clean and organized home can help them unwind and de-stress after a stressful day.

Spring cleaning tips

Most people put off cleaning because the task seems way too big to tackle. Instead of expecting to get the entire house into order in one weekend, start small. Commit to doing one thing around your house or apartment each day and before you know it, your environment will be much cleaner and less stressful in no time.

The key is not to make your to-do list bigger than what you can mentally handle or you will increase your stress rather than reduce it.

This spring, also ask yourself what you’re holding onto that no longer serves you or brings you joy. This not only refers to possessions, but also to thought patterns or relationships. Have you been “putting up” with a situation or person? What fresh choices can you make? You can’t eliminate everything in your life you don’t like, but you can decide to actively choose and accept what you want based on how it makes you think, feel, and behave.

If you need help to make a fresh start, restore a relationship, shift a negative mindset, or shed an emotional load, reach out to LifeAssist for free professional counselling, advice, or health coaching.