The arrival of spring is a time of renewal and an opportunity to declutter and clean your home. However, finding the motivation to spring clean can be challenging. This article provides tips on how to stay motivated while spring cleaning, including uplifting music, energizing snacks, and taking breaks.
Why Spring Cleaning is Important
Spring cleaning is more than just tidying up – it can improve your mood, health, productivity, and overall wellbeing. Here’s why it’s so important:
Promotes a Clear and Focused Mind
Clutter around the home can negatively impact your ability to focus and think clearly. Tidying up clears both physical and mental space so you can be more focused and productive. A decluttered home provides a calm environment, reducing stress.
Creates a Healthier Home
Dust and clutter accumulate all winter, harboring allergens and germs. A deep clean helps remove these irritants, promoting better indoor air quality. This is especially important if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma.
Boosts Your Mood
Clutter and mess can make you feel anxious, overwhelmed, and depressed. Cleaning helps give you a sense of control and lifts your mood. A tidy home filled with natural light feels more uplifting and peaceful.
Makes Regular Cleaning Easier
A deep spring clean tackles those problem areas that are ignored the rest of the year. Once thoroughly cleaned, these areas will only need quick touch-ups later on. Spring cleaning establishes cleaning habits that are easier to maintain.
Helpful Mindsets for Staying Motivated
Spring cleaning is a big job, so it’s important to adopt mindsets that will keep you motivated. Here are some mindset tips:
Focus on the Outcome, Not the Process
Remind yourself that feeling accomplished and relaxed in a tidy home is worth the temporary struggle of cleaning. Envision how nice your home will look and feel when you’re done.
Break the Job Down
Looking at everything that needs cleaning can be overwhelming. Instead, make a detailed list and focus on one task at a time. Checking small tasks off as you complete them gives a sense of progress.
Commit to a Daily Timeframe
Setting a daily timer (say, 30 minutes or 1 hour) creates structure. It makes cleaning feel less open-ended. Get as much done as possible within the timeframe, then stop. This prevents burnout.
Make it Enjoyable
listening to upbeat music, calling a friend, or doing a task with someone else. Having pleasant distractions makes cleaning feel less tedious.
Be Gentle with Yourself
Don’t criticize yourself if you didn’t get to everything. Celebrate what you accomplished. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Just do what you can.
Energizing Snacks to Keep You Going
Cleaning is physical work, so you’ll need to refuel. Having protein-rich snacks on hand gives you energy and keeps you from getting distracted by hunger. Here are some nutritious, energizing snacks to try:
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas provide natural sugars for quick energy. Carrots, celery, and cucumber offer hydration. Eat them plain or with nut butter or hummus for protein.
Protein Bars or Shakes
Look for protein bars with 5+ grams of protein and fiber, and minimal added sugar. Or make a protein smoothie with milk, yogurt, nut butter, oats, and fruit. The protein and fiber keeps you full.
Trail Mix
Make your own trail mix with nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), and dried fruit. The mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbs offers lasting energy. Portion into single-serves to control calories.
Hummus and Whole Grain Crackers
The fiber and protein in hummus paired with whole grain or seed crackers provides a filling, nutrient-dense snack. Look for crackers with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit
Cottage cheese packs over 10 grams of protein per half cup, plus calcium. Eat it alone, or pair it with fruit like blueberries, pineapple, or melon for antioxidants and natural sweetness.
Helpful Music Playlists to Boost Your Mood
Music is a powerful way to energize your spirit and motivation while cleaning. Try making upbeat playlists with these mood-boosting genres and songs:
Motivating Pop Music
Upbeat chart hits with energetic beats can make cleaning feel fun. Try songs like:
- “Shut up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
- “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
Empowering Rock and Dance
These genres get your heart pumping and feet moving:
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
- “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
- “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
- “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
- “Maniac” by Michael Sembello
Feel-Good Oldies
Nostalgic tunes from decades past provide a mood boost:
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye
- “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys
- “Dancing in the Street” by Martha Reeves
- “Oh, What a Night” by Frankie Valli
- “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates
Allowing Yourself Breaks
Pushing yourself non-stop while cleaning can lead to exhaustion and giving up. Be sure to build in breaks to restore your energy and motivation. Here are some ideas:
Take Snack and Coffee Breaks
Every 2-3 hours, pause to have a snack or make yourself a coffee/tea. This refuels you and helps you relax for a few minutes.
Stretch and Move Your Body
Take 5-10 minutes to stretch your arms, back, and legs after tasks that required a lot of bending, lifting, etc. Simple movements get blood flowing.
Go Outside for Fresh Air
Spend 10-15 minutes outdoors in the middle of your cleaning session. Fresh air and sunlight instantly boosts your mood and energy.
Listen to a Podcast or Call a Friend
Take a mental break by calling a friend or listening to a podcast episode while folding laundry or doing other simple tasks. It makes the task feel less tedious.
Take a Longer Break to Recharge
If you’ve been cleaning for hours, consider taking a 30+ minute break to recharge. Eat lunch, take a walk, read, or do an unrelated hobby. Let your mind fully relax before continuing.
Final Thoughts
Spring cleaning takes effort, but having the right mindset, fuel, music, and breaks makes it feel less overwhelming. Be realistic about what you can tackle each day, and don’t forget to celebrate your progress! A cleaner home will lift your spirits this season.
