Spring Cleaning: Clearing Clutter Helps You Mentally
By Brandi Goodman
Clutter surrounding you is not good in any sense. It can create a fire hazard, giving you no safe path to escape and more fuel for the flames. It can allow dust to collect and interfere with your respiratory system. It can also greatly impact your mental health because seeing it all around you can overwhelm your mind and spirit. Do some spring cleaning and clear the clutter to help yourself mentally and in many other ways.
Decreasing Your Anxiety
Feeling anxious and overwhelmed about all the junk you have piled up around you is normal. Decrease your anxiety by clearing out all the unnecessary stuff. Don't let the large quantity deter you. Start with one task at a time and make goals for yourself to get it all accomplished. It will help.
Improving Your Ability to Focus
It can be hard to focus on tasks when you know you should be working on cleaning. You see the boxes, bags, and piles out of the corner of your eye. The thought of it eats away at your mind. You won't be able to get your other tasks accomplished until the clutter is cleared. Once you eliminate the junk surrounding you your ability to focus should improve.
Eliminating the Need for Avoidance Strategies
Many people turn to certain avoidance strategies to put off getting their cleaning done. You may find yourself vegging out in front of the TV for hours with a bag of chips in hand. These unhealthy coping techniques do nothing for your mental health. In fact, they'll only worsen it as the stress of knowing you have to get things accomplished yet aren't doing so starts to build. Your unhealthy eating habits and time spent sitting can lead to weight gain as well -- another reason for mental turmoil. Get up. Get your cleaning done. Your need for avoidance strategies will be eliminated.
Promoting Better Sleep Habits
Sleep can be difficult to achieve when you know you have junk around you that needs to be dealt with. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night with thoughts about what you have to accomplish, it's time to get it done. Clear your day and get your clutter taken care of. It will promote better sleep habits. You should rest easier at night knowing you got something done and there is no more mess to weigh down your mind.
Your mental health matters. Do everything you can to keep your mind healthy and well. That includes tackling your cleaning tasks promptly and not allowing clutter to grow into hazardous piles. Do spring cleaning every year to purge the unnecessary and get your mind right.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Baytown, Tex.