Spring is in the air!  You're starting to see and hear people decluttering, cleaning and rethinking routines.  As a kid, my Gramma and Mom really spring cleaned (washing walls, carpets, windows and more).   My Dad would thoroughly clean out the garage.   We would bring bags and boxes of donations to Good Will or our local Salvation Army.   I did this too when my boys were young too.  We would clean out their closets and toys,  we would pack away the winter clothes and then bring out the spring and summer clothes.  

Have you ever wondered why spring marks the best time to clean? 

 For many who don’t experience the four seasons, this may be a term or practice not used. Spring cleaning is thoroughly cleaning your home after a long winter.  It is also considered a tradition rooted in culture, religion and even our biology.

In the early 1800s, general cleaning in spring was a necessity because homes were covered in soot from the sources of heating used in winter. In the days before electricity, families lighted lamps fueled with kerosene or whale oil, and their fireplaces burned coal or wood throughout the cold season. So when warmer temperatures came, people scrubbed, dusted and washed everything in their homes to get the grime and soot out. Today, with central heating, we don’t have to deal with soot and grime. But spring cleaning is still common because we know it’s healthy for us to ventilate our homes and remove the dust that accumulated during winter. Another thing is that we have much more sunlight during spring which makes us more active and energized. Scientists say that with longer daylight, our bodies produce less melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. This is why we are more inclined to accomplish more chores in warmer months.

So why am I talking about spring cleaning in this caregiver podcast?  

You most likely don’t have time or the energy to do it. 

Cleaning can be therapeutic.  If I'm feeling stress or troubled, cleaning that junk drawer,  pile of papers or the pantry, gives me a healthy distraction.  

Here are my top spring cleaning tips for you, the caregiver.  

• Refresh your grab and go bag   
• Clean your car (masks, umbrella, wipes, blanket, extras needed)
• You personal space (make it special - a place where you feel peace and joy)  - ie night stand or reading chair or coffee bar or make up
• Closet and drawers - when’s the last time you updated your underwear, socks or bras.  My wardrobe changed as a caregiver - simpler.  I looked this    weekend and got rid of the clothes that no longer fit and were really worn out. Get rid of expired items (pantry, refrigerator, medicine cabinet
• Refresh your loved one’s space.  As then to help clear out the clutter, wash the blankets and maybe you can even rearrange some things to make things look new.  A good spring clean can help you avoid allergy symptoms, according to a study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Removing allergens from the home can make you feel healthier, especially at a time when allergies are rife.
•  Evaluate your time stressors.  April is Stress Awareness Month so now is the perfect time to take a look at the stressors in your life — and what you can do to better manage your stress.  (what can you change, automate, delete) - if you see that laundry pile or a clutter kitchen counter, it may cause you stress.   - behind of bills or dirty work desk- Ie:  takes 5-10 minutes a day to keep up with it.  
• Spring clean you mind.    Take some time to really look at your thoughts, feelings and emotions.   Journaling is a great way to do this (waiting room or morning time).  Be honest with them.  If you feel resentful, angry or negative, accept it, ask yourself why and then find ways to start the spring cleaning.   

The benefits of spring cleaning and decluttering is good for you body, mind and soul. 

• Removing clutter reduces stress and is can simplify things.     Less is more
• Housekeeping actually makes you happier.   In fact, researchers at Clorox polled 2,000 people and found that every hour of cleaning you do each week is associated with a 53% boost in overall happiness. The survey found people who actually enjoy cleaning are also 25% happier overall. 
• Keeping a clean home is healthier.  Individual cleaning tasks such as vacuuming, ironing and gardening are physical activities that can burn between 150 and 300 calories an hour. 
• Letting go of stuff saves you time and money.  
• It’s a perfect time for a fresh start.   ‘Clearing out our crap’ raises our self-esteem and shifts our energy so we are open to change and are in a better ‘space’ to move forward.  

Spring cleaning is a time of renewal – out with the old, in with the new. For caregivers, spring cleaning is also a time for planning ahead and being prepared for the remainder of the year.