How many of you begin to “Spring Clean” your house when it starts to get a little warmer outside and the flowers and trees begin to bud?  You can tell that Spring is just around the corner. Why do you do it?  Why do you feel it necessary to “Spring Clean”?

Here is a list of 5 reasons “Spring Cleaning” is good for you according to the website “Goodnet.org”.

1. SPRING CLEANING INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY

Making the effort to declutter and organize your home or office can save you tons of time looking for or replacing lost items in the future. Organization experts say that this makes you more productive, while the cleaning process itself can increase energy levels.
HANDY TIP: Learn to let go. If you haven't used something since the last spring clean, it might be time to say goodbye.

2. SPRING CLEANING IS HEALTHY

A good spring clean can help you avoid allergy symptoms, according to a study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Removing allergens from the home can make you feel healthier, especially at a time when allergies are rife.
HANDY TIP: Ask for help moving big pieces of furniture or climbing up ladders when going for those hard-to-reach spots.

3. SPRING CLEANING MAKES YOU HAPPY

Taking the time to thoroughly clean and maintain a tidy home makes people happier,studies have shown. The act of cleaning provides a sense of satisfaction, which in turn can put you in a good mood.
HANDY TIP: Put on some of your favorite tunes while cleaning to make it even more fun.

4. SPRING CLEANING REDUCES STRESS

Cleaning and organizing your personal spaces lets you enjoy a tidier and more organized environment and this can relieve stress. Levels of stress can also be reduced during the act itself as cleaning is considered to be therapeutic.
HANDY TIP: Be realistic. If it's all getting too much, take a break. It's not a race after all.

5. SPRING CLEANING HELPS YOU FOCUS

Those who make a point of clearing out the clutter once in a while are able to free up the brain for more essential decision-making, according to a study carried out by the founder of America's Anxiety Disorder Center. A thorough clean house helps to clear your mind of things that need to be done and makes it easier to focus on other more important things.
HANDY TIP: Concentrate on one room at a time to make sure you get the job done properly.

Spring Cleaning Traditions

Spring Cleaning is a time honored tradition in many countries and cultures around the world.  Not only for simply removing dirt from the home but so much more.  I began to wonder, where and when did “Spring Cleaning” become a thing. Here’s a few things that I found.

In China, they celebrate with a New Year’s Celebration or Spring Festival, the people thoroughly clean their houses not only of dirt and grime but also to rid the house of any evil spirits that have taken up residence.  They “sweep” the evil or bad luck out the door.  Once the house is neat and clean, one cannot touch the floors with a broom for a few days to prevent sweeping out all the good luck that entered into the house. 

On the 21st of March each year, people in Iran have a ritual called Khaneh Takani which means “shaking the house”.  Everything gets a thorough cleaning and it is customary to buy new clothes!  Wow – what an excuse to go shopping for a new wardrobe.  “Honey my old clothes are filled with bad luck so I have to replace them with new ones”!   I don’t think my husband would go for this. 

In Thailand, New Year’s Day falls during the spring months.  So on April 13 they have a two-day festival called “Songkran” and they use this time to not only clean their houses but also clean any images or statues of Buddha in their homes.  It’s not usually during the festival to have a parade where people throw perfumed water at the images of Buddha to ritually clean them.  All this cleanliness is supposed to bring blessings and good luck in the New Year. 

From the pictures below, it looks like alot of fun. Can you imagine a bunch of adults on the streets with waterguns?

Sometimes, I like to rearrange the furniture in a certain room of my house. My kids would always ask “What and why are you doing?” My response was that I just needed a change, a fresh perspective…a new outlook. It always seemed to lift my spirits. I’m not sure that it was healthy because I always seem to hurt something from moving heavy furniture but I liked the outcome and it did make me happier!

What is your “Spring Cleaning” ritual? Open the windows and let fresh air and the sunshine in! According to the article from Goodnet.org it’s suppose to be good for you!!!