There's a good reason to start spring cleaning. Doctors say it's good for your mental and physical health.
Dr. Michelle Riba, Clinical Professor at the University Of Michigan said, "When we think about spring clean up, it doesn't necessarily have to mean clean the windows but it's also cleaning ourselves, cleaning our minds."
Dr. Riba says the start of spring is a good point to take a look at where you are, and where you want to go in life. She said, "Look back on the fall and winter and then think about how to get ready and prepare and clean up for the next season."
Clutter may be weighing you down in ways you don't even realize. Dr. Riba said, "Clutter can impact us psychologically or physically." Clearing out clutter can decrease stress, lift your mood, reduce your risk of falling, and ease some of your allergy symptoms. Dr. Riba said, "It could be a breathing issue if there's a lot of dust and that contributes when there's a lot of clutter because that impacts some people's ability to clean up."
Donating items to people in need can make you feel better about letting them go. Some research suggests reducing clutter can also make you feel more productive and more likely to make healthy choices. Dr. Riba said, "It's very healthy to reassess and look at our spaces in general."
If you feel overwhelmed by the state of your home, Dr. Riba suggests taking a picture of the space you want to change, then breaking down the project into more manageable cleaning stages.
