It is officially summer in Florida, and residents are spending more time indoors to beat the heat. If you missed out on your spring cleaning, there is no better time than now to get it done. While few people really enjoy a day full of housework, the reality is that a thorough cleaning of your home can bring some surprising benefits to your life beyond just having a clean space. So instead of melting into the couch streaming your favorite shows on your next day off, make the commitment to a better, healthier you with a deep cleaning for your living space, mind, and soul.
1. Destress
Studies have shown that mess and clutter in your living space significantly increase your levels of stress. This is because clutter causes our brains to become overloaded and confused as they try to prioritize how to deal with the mess and accomplish daily living tasks amid so many distractions. An extensive cleaning and organization session can soothe the brain, quell anxiety, and lead to a more peaceful you.
2. Improve Air Quality
It doesn’t take long for dust bunnies to start accumulating on every possible surface in your home. While this is a mild annoyance for most people, for those diagnosed with asthma or an allergy to house dust mites, it can be a major nuisance. It’s important for anyone with a respiratory condition to keep their living spaces as clean as possible, so spring cleaning is a great time to get into all the nooks and crannies and make sure every square inch of space is dust-free. This will improve the air quality in your home and ward off some respiratory triggers.
3. Physical Activity
It’s never a bad thing to be up and moving around. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that healthy adults get both aerobic and strength training exercises each week, and a vigorous spring cleaning could be just what you need to help you meet your weekly activity goals.
4. Reduce Fall Risk
A cluttered home can be hazardous for anyone at risk of falling, including the elderly and people with physical disabilities. Even a healthy person can experience repercussions from a fall, so picking up the items off your floors during a spring cleaning is a great way to reduce this risk.
5. Get More Done
A cluttered space causes a cluttered brain that is unable to operate at full efficiency. When there are too many items in your field of view, your ability to focus on what needs to be done and work on it without distraction is severely limited. Therefore, by cleaning and decluttering your space, you are also giving your brain room to focus and perform at its highest potential, which means getting more things done.
6. Make Healthier Choices
In a study published in 2016, researchers found that the organization, or lack thereof, of a kitchen can actually cause the people in it to overeat. Another study published in 2013 showed that people in a messy, disorganized room are more likely to choose unhealthy snacks than people in an organized, tidy room. Finally, a study published in 2015 indicated that people with extreme clutter in their homes (i.e. hoarding) were much more likely to have a high body mass index (BMI) and engage in binge eating. While more research is needed in this area, it is possible that having a clean, neat, and organized living space will discourage poor eating choices and thus promote a healthier lifestyle.
7. Sleep Better
Americans are notorious for not getting enough sleep or good sleep, and having a cluttered, messy living space just makes this problem worse. The constant worry about how to clean up the space, coupled with clutter making the sleeping area less comfortable, both contribute to poor sleep for people who live in messy homes. A meticulous cleaning of the bedroom can stop anxiety and make the sleeping area more comfortable, promoting restful, therapeutic sleep patterns.
Start Summer Out Strong
Shake off the winter dust bunnies as summer arrives with a spring cleaning session to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. While the thought of deep cleaning your entire home may seem overwhelming, you will feel an awesome sense of accomplishment once it is finished. If you’ve done your spring cleaning and you’re still having asthma or allergy issues, you may need some professional help to get your symptoms under control. That’s where AllergyTampa.com comes in, helping you treat your symptoms and live your best life possible in your freshly cleaned space. To find out more or schedule an appointment, contact us at 813-971-9743.
