Yahoo Lifestyle Shape Up For Spring With A Domestic Detox
Shape up for spring with a domestic detox. Photo: ThinkStock
We’ve all been there: endless work, family and social commitments, piles of laundry and a plethora of chores can turn your abode into a place of anarchy rather than asylum.
And clutter doesn’t just equate to a chaotic space, it can negatively impact all areas of your life.
Boost your wellbeing and minimise the mess with this tidy guide.
Start small:
Get off Pinterest and instead of aspiring for perfection, aim for “good enough”. “Many people get trapped in the belief that they need to be perfectly organised and end up setting unattainable goals,” says Peter Walsh, author of Lose The Clutter, Lose The Weight (Pan Macmillan, $34.99), who recommends tackling chores as they occur. This means doing the dishes straight after dinner. “Forcing yourself to learn small but regular habits, and avoiding procrastination, will go a long way towards keeping yourself more organised,” he says.
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Stress less:
Feeling frazzled? Snapping on the rubber gloves can give you respite from anxiety and stress, according to a 2012 study by UCLA’s Center on the Everyday Lives of Families. Women who described their home as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who claimed their residence was “restorative” or “restful”. Dr Brian Morton, chair of the Australian Medical Association’s Council of General Practice, attributes this to the control that cleaning brings to our lives – both literally and metaphorically. “The physical act may also release feelgood hormones, such as endorphins, which may alleviate stress,” explains Dr Morton.
Slim down:
Here’s more motivation to cut the clutter: when the participants in a six-week study concentrated on organising their homes, 100 per cent of the group lost weight, with the average amount about five kilograms. "There’s a clear correlation between being in an organised space and feeling less stressed,” explains Walsh. “Stress is linked to increased levels of cortisol, which has been proven to contribute to obesity. So when people concentrate on decluttering, their stress levels decline and their weight decreases as a result."
Cleaning cheat sheet:
1. Get into the habit of “finishing the cycle”. For example, when you are done using an item, put it away.
2. Concentrate on clearing the flat spaces – such as benchtops, floors, dining tables and chairs – first.
3. Toss any magazine or newspaper that is more than two months old.
4. If you’re holding on to items that don’t belong to you, make this the week that you get them out of your house.
5. Make your bed every day – it sets a tone that says you respect your space.
