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Spring Cleaning Can Bring Clutter-Free Happiness
Not to say that you need to go into full Cinderella mode, but there is something about getting down and dirty and really cleaning that makes a person happy on the inside. While it won’t solve all of life’s answers, cleaning can certainly make one feel more in control, relaxed and free of clutter. Nobody enjoys seeing a pile of dirty clothes on the floor or a stack of dirty dishes in the sink, especially after they’ve had a long hard day at work.
That’s why research has shown that coming home to a clean and tidy home can elevate one’s mood. Perhaps that is why Marie Kondo became such a hit here in the United States; her decluttering methods truly are a fresh of breath air.
Research conducted by associate professor Nicole R. Keith, Ph.D., research scientist and professor at Indiana University Keeping found that keeping things clean and organized led to healthier lifestyles and environments. The study found that participants who kept their homes clean were healthier and more active than those who didn’t.
Another study done by researchers at Princeton University found that clutter makes it more difficult to focus on a particular task because the person is overwhelmed by task-irrelevant objects.
While getting rid of clutter can be difficult, especially since everyone has some sort of sentimental feelings attached, the best solution for a happier and healthier life is to just throw it away.
In the famous words of Marie Kondo, “The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.”
By: Maytinee Kramer
