The first signs of spring are appearing in my neighborhood. Forsythia, daffodils and magnolias are in bloom. Time to open the windows, let in fresh air and embark on the ritual of spring cleaning! It's an opportunity for us to refresh our living spaces and rejuvenate our minds.

We can all appreciate the obvious benefits of decluttering, creating a sense of order and creating space. Interestingly, from a psychological perspective, spring cleaning contributes to our well-being by providing cognitive clarity, stress reduction and enhanced mood.

The invitation is to spring clean your environment as well as your mind.

Cognitive Clarity

Our brains are intricately connected to our environment. What's in your space reflects what's in your head. Clutter has a way of distracting, confusing and slowing us down. When we declutter, we improve our ability to focus and think creatively. Less brain energy is wasted on processing unnecessary stimuli. Just being able to find things more easily increases our efficiency and affords us more time to concentrate!

For Your Environment

Choose One Area: a drawer, your laptop desktop, a closet, your car or outdoor space.

• Pick 1,2 or all 3: Declutter, Clean, Organize
• Engage a buddy as a sounding board (should I keep this?) & accountability partner (yes, we're getting it done)
• Let it be fun - Turn it into a game, play some music
• Be present with the task at hand

For your Mind

Practice Mindfulness:

Take advantage of transitional moments to practice mindfulness. It could be when you wake up, move to a different location, before eating or when you end your day. Mindfulness can be as simple as focusing on your breath, savoring your food, feeling the warm sunshine. Have more time? Take a walk outside or try a meditation.

Decrease Sensory Input:

• Close your eyes, pop in some ear plugs and sit in quiet for 3 minutes.
• Take a social media break

Try a Puzzle

Puzzles are a low stakes, high reward way to disconnect & relax our busy brains. Puzzles work both sides of your brain and improve concentration. Your other thoughts take a backseat and the dopamine surge when you solve or tap a piece in place is an immediate mood booster.

Stress Reduction

There is a strong correlation between mess and stress. Living in a cluttered, disorganized space can add to feelings of overwhelm & anxiety. Spring cleaning restores a sense of order. We feel accomplishment. For some, the actual cleaning can provide a cathartic release. For others, it's the result of creating a more harmonious environment that promotes relaxation and nurtures our sense of well-being.

For Your Environment

Hate cleaning?

• What is the simplest thing you could do?
• What is the easiest?

Try a 5 Minute Action Plan

• Something very small
• It's an action
• It feels simple & easy
• It moves you in the direction you want to go

For Your Mind

Focus on Sleep.

• Try a brain dump an hour before bed. It helps to stop rumination, prioritize for the next day and give a place for your thoughts to "rest" outside your head.

Move Your Body

• In whatever way feels good. Focusing on movement helps to clear our minds by getting us out of our heads and into our bodies.

Spend Time Outside

Fresh air and nature are naturally restorative to our nervous system. 2 hours a week, 17 minutes a day is all it takes to have a positive impact.

Enhanced Mood

Not only can spring cleaning our environment reduce stress; it can actively boost our mood and motivation. Even small accomplishments can foster overall satisfaction with yourself and your environment. The physical act of cleaning releases endorphins which bolster a positive mindset. As we discard things or thoughts, we make room for new possibilities. Spring cleaning can have a ripple effect. Finishing one project can create an urge to tackle another, and we find we have renewed energy and motivation.

For Your Environment:

Delete, Donate, Discard

For Your Mind:

Let go of Negativity:

Just like discarding objects we no longer use or wear, we can make an effort to let go of negative thoughts & beliefs that no longer serve us. Get curious about them. Where do they come from? How did they serve you at one time? Thank them and let them go. Practice replacing these with more effective thoughts and responses. Be kind to yourself if you find you need to sweep them away again. It's a normal part of being human.

Practice Gratitude:

• Try a gratitude journal
• Offer a genuine appreciation to someone
• Simply reflect, "What's one thing I'm grateful for?"

Set Intentions:

Reflect on what you want to cultivate in your life and devise a plan to nurture those intentions.

By incorporating these practices, you can "spring clean" your physical and mental space and create an environment that is conducive to growth, happiness, and well-being. Just like tidying up our physical spaces, decluttering our minds is an ongoing process that requires attention and intentionality. But the rewards—a greater sense of peace, clarity, and fulfillment—are well worth the effort!