Is Spring Cleaning Good for Your Health?

You probably spring clean your house simply to declutter, but here’s how it might also be good for your health.

Image of a flower and Spring Cleaning Icon, why it's healthy to Spring Clean

We’ve all been there. All week you’ve been putting off those dishes, ignoring the vacuum, and pretending the bathroom doesn’t exist. No shame, it happens to everyone, but if those lurking messes have left you feeling stressed, congested, and moody, you’re not alone. Taking some time to address them could have more benefits than you know.

Relieves stress

Whether you sit at a desk, wear scrubs, or stand in front of a classroom of teenagers, everyone experiences workplace stress. Fight back with 15 minutes daily of picking up when your get home. It frees up your weekends, means you wake up with a cleaner house, and helps your time outside of work feel more relaxing.

Burns calories

While it’s not an hour at the gym, those 15 minutes of moving around the house can help you establish better fitness habits and work on those New Year’s commitments.

Reduces allergens

That gray layer covering all your surfaces could be the reason you always have a runny nose and can’t stop sneezing. Run a wet rag over your surfaces and breathe better.

Related: 7 Small Changes That Lead to Lasting Healthy Habits

Boosts your mood

There’s nothing worse than coming home from a hard day at work to a disaster. People who described their homes as cluttered, stressful, or otherwise encumbered were more at risk for depressed mood. Keeping the clutter away may prevent feelings of stress or overwhelm. When you come home to cleanliness, it just might lighten your mood.

Improves sleep

No more worrying that the pile of clothes in the corner is an intruder, plus studies have shown that getting into a made bed can lead to a better night’s sleep.

Improves focus and productivity

The stack of bills on the table or that pile of laundry to be folded can be distracting. If your desk at work is similarly cluttered, consider setting a daily appointment with yourself to clean up your desk. It can do wonders for your productivity.

Keeps you safer

You can’t trip over a stack of books if they’re not piled on the stairs—just stating the obvious.

Keep pests away

If your kitchen has its own freeway system of commuting ants, it’s a sign that you really could do with some elbow grease.

If you don’t know where to start, just start small. Look around the spaces where you spend the most time. It doesn’t matter where you begin, it can be as simple as grabbing a rag, your favorite cleaner, some music, and getting to work.

Related: How to Switch to Natural Cleaning Products 


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The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.


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