Spring Cleaning for Your Mind and Your Home

The temperature is finally warming up and it is time to throw open those windows and roll up those sleeves for some spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is a time to air out your home that has been shut up and heated all winter. Clutter also accumulates more in the winter since people spend a lot more time indoors. However, it also can have more meaning than that. You can look at it as a chore or you can allow it to have a lot more meaning. Spring cleaning can also be a chance to clean out the clutter and start a healthier lifestyle. This is also a great time to begin making changes in your life. Cleaning the clutter in your home can also allow you to clean the clutter in your personnel life as well. Here are some cleansing tips for your spirit and your home.

Air it out- Air in your home becomes very stale during the winter months. This is probably the most important step in spring cleaning. Chemicals, stoves, fireplaces, and heaters can all emit pollutants that can affect your health as well as the cleanliness of your home. The pollutants can cause headaches as well as aggravate respiratory problems. Open all the windows in your home for about 30 minutes to insure that all the stale air has been removed. Dust all surfaces and freshen fabrics that you cannot wash such as upholstery, curtains and carpeting. This will leave your home feeling spring fresh and your spirits high.

Clear clutter- Have you ever wondered why meditation and yoga studios are always so plain? It is because when you are in a room that has clutter your brain will have mental clutter. Try to relax in a dirty home. It is almost impossible because it brings stress. Clutter is a hard word to define for a lot of people. Your home should be an oasis that you can relax in. How can you relax when you are tripping over things? Allot yourself one box to store keepsakes and then toss everything else. I mean is it really necessary to keep the card that your first boyfriend gave you?

Light up your life- Sunshine is a necessity for a human to live. The amount of sun that a person experiences during the day can actually affect their mood and health. The dark skies of winter can actually change your body rhythms and bring on fatigue and food cravings. Dark bedding, wall colors, and drapes can also lighten your home and amplify light. Clean your windows to allow the maximum amount of light into your home. S

Check crevices- Heat during the winter months can cause mold to grow. Look in small crevices that you can miss in daily cleaning to remove any dust and check for mold growth. Mold can greatly affect your health so it important to remove it. Spring cleaning is the time to do everything you do not get on a regular basis.

Reflect- You can actually enjoy cleaning if you get in the correct mindset beforehand. As you are cleaning items, reflect on how you acquired them. Remember who gave it too you or who was with you when you purchased it. These will mostly lead to nice memories of these people and you will be done cleaning before you know it. Also, use a job that has a repetitive motion to do a little meditation. Meditation is a great way to clear out your "emotional house". Simply choose a small and uplifting sentence and repeat it. Clear your mind and focus on the words you are saying. This can reset your mind for the rest of the day.

Spring cleaning is important for you and your home. Creating a relaxing atmosphere where you can be your healthiest can make a world of difference in your life. Make spring cleaning an annual event that the whole family can do together. Afterwards, you can reward your family with an outing. Stepping into your clean home will be the biggest reward of all.