Spring is right around the corner–the birds are singing, we see a bit more sunlight each day, and common blue violets are beginning to speckle Ohio grass!
With the transitioning of the seasons, many of us are planning our spring activities: starting seeds for summer gardens, tidying and fertilizing flower beds, etc. Another activity on your spring checklist may include spring cleaning/decluttering.
Where does the term “spring cleaning” originate? A Smithsonian exhibit from 2000 showcased the history of housecleaning and featured diary entries from women circa the 1800s.
According to their entries, this cleaning tradition began in order to remove the dust and soot that accumulated in the household from wood burners and lanterns used to heat homes. Beating rugs, opening the windows and doors to allow fresh air to revive their home, and dusting and scrubbing the soot away.
Why continue this tradition today?
Physical Activity
Spring cleaning is a physical task—from dusting, vacuuming, and mopping, to rearranging furniture. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, and Harvard Health Publishing suggests that 30 minutes of heavy cleaning burns approximately 162 calories for an individual weighing 155 lbs.
Stress Management
Per the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), physical activity is one of the most recommended coping strategies for stress management. Physical activity is “effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration” and “enhancing overall cognitive function.” Additionally, the endorphins released through physical activity “improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress.”
Hazard Prevention
Keeping our homes tidy and clutter-free helps decrease the risk of falls. The Ohio Department of Aging recommends clearing walkways, removing trash, paper, cords, and boxes, folding blankets and putting away pillows that are not in use.
Whatever your reason for spring cleaning, the tradition certainly instills a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. Start small and break up activities to avoid feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Enjoy the process, then sit back and admire the results!
Written by: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences, Guernsey County, Ohio State University Extension, mathews-smith.1@osu.edu
Reviewed by: Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences, Pickaway County, Ohio State University Extension, lowe.495@osu.edu
Sources:
American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors (Ed.). (2024, January 19). American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights. Calories burned in 30 minutes of leisure and routine activities-Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, March 8). https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights
K., J. (2010, March 25). Spring Cleaning is Based on Practices from Generations Ago. Spring cleaning is based on practices from generations ago. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/23/AR2010032303492.html
Ohio Department of Aging. (n.d.). Falls Prevention At Home. Falls Prevention at Home | Department of Aging. https://aging.ohio.gov/care-and-living/health-and-safety/fall-prevention/fall-prevention-at-home-1
Physical activity reduces stress. Physical Activity Reduces Stress | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.-b). https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical-activity-reduces-st
Photo Credits:
Pixabay.
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