Who knew that spring cleaning could do more than just result in a clean closet!? Turns out spring cleaning can benefit both your physical and mental health! Before you go running for your dust pan and broom, check out these awesome health benefits of spring cleaning!
Cleaning reduces stress
According to the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a cluttered home often indicates a cluttered mind. Our outer world is often a reflection of our inner world and vice versa. Therefore, if we improve our outer world to a more clean and organized state, this can improve our mindset and help alleviate stress. Studies have shown that as little as 20 minutes of housework per day can reduce stress by as much as 20%. An extra secret tip to destress is to use lemon essential oils when cleaning. Lemon has been shown to calm the mind.
Cleaning is a workout
On average, just 30 minutes of vacuuming or dusting can burn up to 100 calories! Even better yet, yard work burns about 300 calories per hour! Studies also show that people who are motivated to keep their homes clean are also more inclined to invest in their overall health. If you are just getting starting with your fitness journey, start by cleaning your house three times a week for 20 minutes for a boost in energy and motivation to make the next step towards your local gym or walking club.
Cleaning improves your breathing
Did you know that dust is one of the most common allergies? Symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, red or itchy eyes, coughing or wheezing, and/or sneezing. By dusting your home after the winter months, you are allowing your body to breathe more clean air which is less disruptive to your immune system. This increases your defense against other germs and decreases your likelihood for a spring cold!
Cleaning improves your sleep
The National Sleep Foundation found that people who wash their sheets regularly and make their bed on a daily basis sleep better at night compared to those who don’t. Decluttering your bedroom has also been shown to help people fall asleep at night versus those with cluttered rooms who often struggle to fall asleep due to cluttered thoughts.
NOW you can go grab that vacuum or dust buster and get to work!