Bust out the mop and fire up the dustbuster (do these even still exist?); it’s Spring cleaning time.
Kicking off the season with a decluttered and clean space is more important than ever. Especially with most of us spending way more time at home than usual.
Having a clean and organized space can keep your immune system strong, improve your mood, and offer you a unique opportunity to reflect on your priorities.
“When we envision spring-cleaning as a time to rejuvenate our inner and outer world, the cleanup process can be incredibly enlivening rather than being a tiresome chore,” says Carla Marie Manly Ph.D.
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves Carla!
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Without further ado here’s your Blue Door Guide to Spring Cleaning.
Keep your Immune Game Strong
Breathe in that fresh spring air, and then have a sneeze or two. Thanks, seasonal allergies.
A clean living space will help keep those allergies at bay. It will also help support your immune system by preventing respiratory issues.
Dust, mold, mildew, pet dander, and other things can trigger immune responses for people prone to allergies. Over time this can stress the body out, making it more susceptible to illness.
Never fear, that’s where the Spring deep clean comes in; here are the spots you want to hit.
- Vacuum all rugs, floors, carpets, ceiling cobwebs, and curtains to eliminate dust and keep the air cleaner. Sure, vacuuming the curtains might make your roommates and significant others laugh at you, but that’s better than them sneezing on you.
- Dust the legs of furniture, tops of lamps, mirrors and lights, floor baseboards, railings, and window sills. Bust out that step stool and get in there.
- Wash all bedding and blankets. Put pillows into the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any dust mites. Don’t know what a dust mite is? Do yourself a favor and don’t look that one up, just trust us, you don’t want them around.
Keep Your Brain Happy
It’s not all sunshine and unicorns out there these days, but organizing the crib is proven to reduce stress and anxiety and combat depression. A little organization can also boost your focus.
Here’s what works for us:
- Don’t just stack everything into neat little piles of nonsense. Actually take the time to go through and get rid of things that no longer serve you.
- When making decisions on what to keep, ask this about each item: “Does this bring me joy?” If the answers no, boom, toss it.
- If the answer is yes, think of the last time that joy happened. If it’s been over a year, thank it, then send it on its way. Marie Kondo agrees with us here.