Winter is fading away and spring will soon be here. That means the temperature is getting warmer, the weather is getting nicer, the days are getting longer, and the flowers are starting to bloom. And it’s time for spring cleaning. So much to be happy about! What? Happy about spring cleaning? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Spring cleaning can benefit our health in many ways. These benefits fall into two categories: benefits to our physical health and benefits to our mental and emotional health.
Benefits to Physical Health
Spring cleaning will get you moving more, and that can benefit your general health. It can help you burn more calories, bend, stretch, and engage your muscles. Tasks such as vacuuming and gardening can burn as much as 150 to 300 calories in an hour. While it isn’t a substitute for exercise, it will help you be more physically active, without you even thinking about it.
Cleaning can also help you breathe easier. Hundreds of thousands of dust mites can make their home in upholstered furniture, bedding, mattresses, carpets, and curtains, triggering allergies and asthma. Your spring cleaning can eliminate these mites. It will also help clear out pollen that can trigger seasonal allergies even inside your home. Decluttering can reduce home hazards, resulting in fewer trips and falls and less chance of injuring yourself. Cleaning the your bedroom will create a calmer environment that will help you sleep more soundly.
Mental Health Benefits
Spring cleaning can reduce your stress and boost your productivity. People who find themselves in a disorganized space often feel more stress and are distracted and, therefore, less productive. As little as 20 minutes of cleaning can reduce your stress and anxiety level by as much as 20%. And getting rid of clutter can clear your mind, allowing you to focus on the tasks you want to accomplish.
Research has shown that every hour of cleaning you do each week can boost your happiness by 53%. People who describe their homes as cluttered or filled with unfinished projects are more likely to suffer from depression, but you can help prevent depression by tackling any clutter and unfinished projects surrounding you. Finishing off a task makes people feel good, reduces tension, makes us feel accomplished, and gives us a sense of being in control.
Tips for Effective Cleaning
Spring cleaning can seem overwhelming. Where should you begin? What should you clean first? What should you keep and what should you give away? How long should you plan to spend on the project? Start by setting a limit on the amount of time you will devote to the job. For example, you could set aside one hour each day or one day a week when you will focus only on your spring cleaning.
Be realistic about what you can accomplish. Set reasonable goals and create a plan on what to tackle first. For instance, you could start with your kitchen cabinets. Select one and work your way through it. Remove and donate any foods that are not wanted. Dispose of any foods past their expiry date. Then perhaps move on to cooking utensils and sort out ones you no longer use and put them aside to give away. Make your way through the whole kitchen, one specific spot after another, until you are happy with the way it is organized. Once you are satisfied with that job, you can start on the next room.
Try to make your spring cleaning less boring. Play your favourite music while you are working, or invite someone to join you. You can help each other make decisions on what to keep or get rid of and pass the time with good conversation. There are many good reasons to tackle your spring cleaning, so why not start now?
Your Medicine Cabinet
One area that is important not to overlook when doing your spring cleaning is your supply of medications. You may keep this in a medicine cabinet, a drawer, or in other places. Start by gathering all items in one place. Check the expiry dates on all of your medicines and set aside any items that are expired. Also remove any medicines that have changed colour, are damaged, or if the smell or taste has changed, and anything that has been removed from its original container.
Don’t put old medicines in the trash, pour them down the drain or flush them down the toilet. All have the potential to contaminate the water supply or harm wildlife if not disposed properly. Gather all unwanted medications and return them for free to your local London Drugs pharmacy. We can help you discard old medicines in a safe and environmentally friendly manner and help you replace any that you still wish to use.
When you are ready to put your medications away, choose a location that is cool and dry, not in the bathroom or near a cooking area of the kitchen. Your medications should be easily accessible by you but out of reach of children. You might choose a drawer or other cabinet in your home. For safety it is best to keep medicines in childproof containers, but you can ask your pharmacist for easy open lids if needed.
