Credit to Heidi Huff

Spring cleaning is more than just a chore, it can have a positive effect on mental health. It has been shown that doing spring cleaning can give people more control over their environment.

“It can also bring a sense of accomplishment, which could boost your mood and your self confidence,” Responsive Services counselor Ann Herman said.

Students at North have also participated in this trend of cleaning.

“[Spring cleaning] makes me feel accomplished and tidy,” sophomore Colin McGuire said.

When one organizes or cleans a living space, it can also improve other areas of one’s life. Cleaning and organizing a room may help to get school work organized or other things done.

“What the research has shown is that living in a cluttered environment is linked to depression,” Herman said.

Clutter and disorganization can lead to ongoing stress. The sight of chaos in a living space can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. A cluttered environment may make it harder to focus and get things done because it can cause someone to focus more on the clutter than other activities. It may also disrupt sleeping if where someone sleeps isn’t clean or organized. Not having a clean living space can also affect social interactions because one may have feelings of embarrassment or angst to invite people over, which could lead to social isolation and missed opportunities to connect with others.

Not having a clean environment can affect mental and emotional well being, so having a clean space is not only important for hygienic reasons but also for one’s mental health. Spring cleaning can give a feeling of a clear mind set and fresh start as the new season starts.

“It puts me in a better [mood], which makes me more productive to clean or do other things,” McGuire said.