The days are getting longer, the weather is starting to warm, flowers are blooming and birds are chirping…spring is here and with it, comes a sense of renewed life, hope and opportunity. One of the ways I like to welcome a fresh start this time of year is by doing a bit of spring cleaning in my home. 

I love the feeling of seeing an organized and tidy space, and the many other benefits — to my mood, focus, and productivity — from this annual cleaning ritual. There’s so much to gain from keeping a tidy space, so if you need some motivation, here are a few great reasons to get out your cleaning supplies: 

• It’s good for the immune system. Studies have shown that getting rid of dust, pet dander, and other irritants that have gathered during winter can reduce allergy symptoms and help you breathe easier and feel better. 
• It’s physical activity. Vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and wiping, get you moving and burning calories while you enjoy the mood boost from the endorphins produced during exercise. Just be careful when bending or lifting things.
• It reduces injury risk. Clearing items you might trip over or bump into and arranging furniture in a way that makes for easy movement through your home can help decrease accident risk.
• It can help manage stress. The act of cleaning has been shown in studies to manage and reduce stress, and it can also become a mindful practice when you approach it with intention. 
• It can help you stick to healthy habits. Mindfully setting up your kitchen and home so healthy foods and the tools you need to make nourishing meals are in easy reach and your space is set up to make it easy for you to be active and easily find what you need, can help support your healthy living goals.
• It may help you be more productive. Studies have shown that people tend to focus better and be more productive in clean spaces free of clutter. This can be especially important now that so many of us are working from home.
• It can help you feel accomplished. The sense of accomplishment you get from cleaning can trickle into other areas of your life and help you feel positive and motivated to nurture your wellbeing in other ways. 

If you’d like to read more tips about managing stress and building healthy habits, I invite you to check out my book The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress & Anxiety.