Have you heard of mental health spring cleaning? No?
I bet you have heard of spring cleaning, though. Well, mental health spring cleaning is the activity of literally picking up the broom to sweep all those cobwebs and tackling the mess in your physical home, and, as a result, getting rid of the symbolic dirt and clutter you are currently battling mentally and emotionally.
That’s right. The yearly ritual of decluttering and cleaning from ceiling to floor and from room to room during the spring months has become an opportunity for some people to give their psychological and emotional health a deep clean.
It turns out that “a cluttered home is a cluttered mind” rings true for some people. They find that after a spring clean, they can also cleanse and organize their thoughts and feelings better.
Spring Cleaning Defined
Is there actually a difference between a spring clean or a deep clean? Essentially, they are both the same in that the goal is to thoroughly clean your house from top to bottom, tackling the clutter, dust, and grime that accumulate over the weeks, months, or in the past year.
Spring cleaning is really used to refer to an annually scheduled deep clean, but many people prefer to do it during springtime because the weather tends to be better. And there is just something about the fresh blooms and crisp air that inspires you to give yourself and your home a fresh start.
Whether you schedule your deep clean during springtime or another season, what is important is that you take the time to declutter, reorganize, and deep clean your home. Doing this allows you to have a home that is clean, welcoming, and comfortable, but it also ensures your living space is an environment that protects and boosts your health.
In fact, the health benefits of spring cleaning are felt physically and emotionally and mentally.
Mental Health Defined
Since we are on the subject of mental health, it could be helpful to understand better what it is and its importance.
MentalHealth.gov defines mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” The Government of Canada’s website states that “It is a necessary resource for living a healthy life and the main factor in overall health.”
It is important because it affects the following:
- How we think, act, and feel
- How we relate to others
- How we handle stress
- How we make choices
What contributes to mental health?
- What contributes to mental health?
- Our genes and brain chemistry (biological factors)
- Our upbringing
- Our experiences
What shapes our mental health more: is it nature or nurture? More scientific research today indicates that both factors influence our mental state.
Breaking the Mental Health Stigma
Even with the increase in interest and conversations surrounding mental health, mental problems, and mental illness, there is still a lot of stigma and misconceptions.
For example, some people still think that mental health is a synonym for mental illness. Additionally, some still have negative beliefs and attitudes towards those with certain mental health conditions.
Hopefully, as more people talk about it and show support for mental health, correct information and more awareness will also increase, especially when more individuals face mental health problems.
In fact, everyone undergoes challenges that affect their mental well-being. The Public Health Agency of Canada even reported that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost half of all Canadians said their mental health has worsened. In response, the Minister of Health announced that the government is investing millions of dollars to support distress centers in Canada.
With more mental health resources and information available today, you have more ways than one to find methods and treatments that can positively affect your mental well-being and fight the stigma.
Spring Cleaning and Decluttering
Statistics from Professional Organizers of Canada indicate that 91% of Canadians feel clutter is something that negatively impacts them. It might not come as a surprise then that decluttering one’s home is on top of many people’s list of resolutions every year.
Most people want to have a clean and orderly home as it invokes a sense of comfort and peace. On the other hand, an unkempt and cluttered house can add stress and anxiety to your life, leading to depression and an energy drain.
If you want to give your home and yourself a fresh start, a spring clean might be just what you need. Giving your bathroom a deep scrub, purging your closet, or even clearing your desk of clutter can feel satisfying and give you a sense of renewed energy.
More Reasons to Declutter and Spring Clean
1. It is the perfect time to reassess your priorities and values.
Do you need twenty sweaters? Would you rather have more space or more stuff in your home? Is it really necessary to hold on to your old snowboard?
As you purge through your belongings during your spring cleaning, you can also assess your relationship with your belongings and better understand yourself.
Taking the questions above as an example, you can ask yourself questions that allow you to dig deeper into how your psychological and emotional state affects how you make decisions.
What was the reason why you bought all those sweaters? Are you an emotional spender?
What do you want to prioritize more: space or stuff? Why?
Does that snowboard have sentimental value? Do you actually like snowboarding, or was it just a one-time thing you wanted to experience with friends?
2. It saves you money and time.
As you gain a better picture of your priorities and values, you can also discern what you want to spend your money and time on.
How would you rather spend your mornings? Make yourself a healthy breakfast, spend a few minutes meditating before leaving for work, rush around the house looking for a shirt that matches your pants among piles of clothes, and then order drive-through meals because you’re running late?
3. It reduces stress and increases focus.
Some people find clutter visually distracting or a reminder of the long list of unaccomplished tasks. If you can maintain a clean and organized home, you can feel more in control of your environment and, as a result, lower your levels of stress and anxiety. And since there are fewer distractions, you tend to be more focused and productive. You get to invest your energy into activities that enrich your emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being.
4. It makes you healthier.
Did you know that one of the best ways to get some exercise daily is to do cleaning tasks at home? Vacuuming is 123 calories, and general cleaning is 127 calories, while trimming shrubs is 157 calories! WebMD provided some estimates on the number of calories you can burn by doing house chores.
You are getting some physical activity, but exercising also naturally releases happy hormones. The result? A feeling of satisfaction knowing you are taking better care of your overall health and home.
5. It leads to a happier home.
People’s tolerance for clutter can vary. Some may not be too bothered by a pile of laundry on the floor, while others may get stressed just looking at a disorganized drawer for dish towels. However, clutter negatively affects everyone. The mess will soon get on someone’s nerve and create tension in the home.
Children also experience the negative impacts of cluttered environments, including having trouble focusing and causing delays in learning abilities.
Getting your home organized and cleaned can help minimize these problems and provide a healthier and more relaxing environment.
Conclusion
Caring for your mental health is vital, especially when life just seems to keep throwing challenge after challenge at you. Keeping a clean and clutter-free home can make it easier for you to spend more time on your and your family’s mental well-being, so take the opportunity to do a spring clean and enjoy the many health benefits of spring cleaning.
If you happen to be pressed for time or feel overwhelmed with this huge task, don’t feel embarrassed to hire professional organizers and cleaners. These experts know all too well about the challenges of maintaining a spic-and-span home and are happy to help their client achieve their ideal home environment.
We are passionate about deep cleaning in spring and other seasons to give you the fresh start you deserve. If you need expert cleaners in Canada, get the best cleaning service in your area with Life Maid Easy. Check out our website for more details, including available franchise opportunities, or talk to us at 1 833 247 MAID (6243).