What does spring cleaning have to do with your health? Well, beyond germs and the multitude of critters found in built-up dust, decluttering and clearing your home can bring simplicity and peace into your world. If you’ve ever watched the show Hoarders, you know many of the people on the show have underlying emotional or mental issues that are the root cause of their hoarding problems. And while you may not have issues with letting go of “things,” you may be complicating your life by living with too much stuff and clutter.

Spring is all about new beginnings, so check out these tips on decluttering your home and start your life in a fresh and healthier direction!

Plan

It can be easy to get lost in a project and find you are unable to complete clearing your home in just a weekend’s time. Instead, plan ahead and set aside blocks of time to work on the project. Maybe one Saturday morning, you’ll tackle the master bedroom closet. Maybe one hour on a weeknight evening, you’ll clear out the junk drawer. By taking smaller steps, you’ll feel less frustrated and little by little, your home will be organized and simplified.

Rules

A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used or worn an item for a year, you should let it go. For some, this may be a little difficult and you may have to tell yourself two years. Either way, set a rule for yourself and stick with it.

Letting Go

We all have sentimental items and of course, you can keep these things. You might want to figure a new use for some of these sentimental objects stored away in boxes. Collect several items and create a piece of art in a shadow box. Check around on Pinterest for some clever ideas.

For items that are not sentimental, you may be able to sell or trade in valuable or labeled clothing. A garage sale is a great idea, and you can even use the sale as a charity drive by advertising the proceeds will go to your favorite charity. And of course, speaking of charities, there are many places that accept donations of gently used clothing, household items and children’s toys. Some family crisis centers will also accept those “hard-to-part-with” stuffed animals.

Organizing your Organizing Project

Separate and create small piles as you work. Use bags to keep things organized and contained until you are ready to put things away or let go of your items. By doing this, you are able to stop when you need without creating an even bigger mess. Simply collect the bags and set them aside.

Make a list as you go of bins or other organizing containers you will need to pick up. Check Craigslist for cheap shelving or cabinets that may help you get everything in order.

Simplifying and clearing your home of clutter feels amazing and helps to decrease stress. Stress is a major culprit behind modern illness and disease. For more information on total wellness and wholeness, call your local Oak Lawn, IL chiropractor today and find out how you can start your own customized wellness plan!

By Nathan Ruof D.C.