Spring Cleaning for Your Mind
Spring is here, and so is the infamous, dreaded spring cleaning. We have all heard that a clean space leads to a healthier mindset, but what if that saying has some truth?
A 2017 study concluded that adolescents whose space contained more clutter, e.g. Random “stuff” collected over time, felt more negative emotions. These negative emotions then led to more procrastination and impaired social ability.
In fact, clutter can lead to overall lower functioning of our brain’s processes. Our brain has two specific approaches, top-down and bottom-up processing. Bottom-up mechanisms include when the external environment sends a signal from your body to your brain, like stubbing your toe on a chair. According to a study conducted in 2011 by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, cleaning your space and preventing external distractions will allow your brain to focus on the tasks at hand.
While cleaning is a positive thing, it can still seem intimidating. Here are 4 Tips to start cleaning:
Start Small: The task of cleaning can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have the hours. Start with a 15-minute timer and see what you can do at a relaxed pace. Minor changes like clearing off your nightstand or washing your dishes can slowly decrease your daily clutter.
Go at your own pace: Energy levels can impact us in ways that we may be unaware of. Being aware of them and listening to your body will make cleaning more enjoyable. Over-exerting yourself will make it difficult to return to a task.
Find a place for everything: Placing objects or knick-knacks into random places will lead to cluttering and more cleaning in the future. Giving everything a “home” allows items to have a place when they aren’t in use. This will help you feel more organized and less flustered when looking for a specific item.
Pick your favourite room or space: Your space is the most important thing to you; it fuels you and serves as a safe place. For instance, a clean bedroom can lead to better sleeping, which is better for your mental well-being. Everyone will have a different space that will fuel them in different ways. If you only have a room or small space, start with corners or areas like a desk or vanity.
