Spring Cleaning

Michelle Barbero | Staff Writer

Spring, the season of new beginnings has begun despite the frigid weather and people have already begun partaking in the annual ritual of spring cleaning. The spring season inspires people to clean, and people of all different nationalities practice this tradition. But, spring cleaning is not just about improving a space, it is about renewing positivity in one’s life.

An increase in messiness in a workspace or home has been proven to cause stress levels to rise. When looking at a messy room, a person feels overwhelmed by the amount of litter that has accumulated around the room. According to the article, “The Psychology of Spring Cleaning,” written by Jonathan Fader Ph.D., “most Americans believe that home organization and cleanliness are among their top five stressors.” In addition, it has been seen that if women believe that their home is a mess, they will have extreme levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.

Luckily, the act of spring cleaning assists in relieving these extreme stress levels. When a room is less cluttered, so is one’s mind which allows people to be more productive in their work. People become stressed out just thinking about the time and effort that must be put into spring cleaning. But, Fader explains that people should “take comfort in knowing that our home and desk do not have to be pristine for optimal living and working. The key is finding what environment is most efficient and productive for you.”

Even though some are not the biggest fans of cleaning and organization, the psychological and physical effects that the act of spring cleaning has on a person makes it all worth while. Many forget that spring cleaning is also a cleansing of oneself. The act extends to the cleaning of our bodies and minds. Being in an environment full of clutter will usually discourage people from engaging in physical activity.

Spring cleaning oneself starts with a new exercise plan and a new diet, and spring is the perfect season to start these changes. SUNY Oneonta diettics major, Stephanie Forristal, shares that “eating healthier makes you feel more energetic, confident, and happy. It also motivates you to make better decisions.” When cleaning out a kitchen, one must make sure to restock the with healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables. In addition, a person can make more time for exercise by cleaning out their schedule, getting rid of time spent doing less productive activities. This can be accomplished by cutting down the time spent watching TV and movies, or by cutting down on the amount of time spent on social media.

The act of spring cleaning leads to a happier and healthier lifestyle. The key is to make sure that the positive habits picked up during spring cleaning are also carried on throughout the other seasons as well.