It’s officially May 10. For NC State students, that means the end of exams and the beginning of a much-needed summer break. Hallelujah! But today also marks something else: National Clean Your Room Day.
I know it seems silly to have a holiday commemorating something so seemingly mundane, but did you know that cleaning your room actually has incredible benefits for both your mental and physical wellbeing?
This year, a lot of us have been confined to our rooms more than usual. That being said, it’s so important to create a space for yourself that’s both comforting, clean and enjoyable to spend time in. For me, even just organizing my desk or picking up the clothes off my floor makes me feel 100000% better after a stressful day. But don’t just take my word for it. Immunologist and wellness expert Jaya Jaya Myrna has entire podcast episodes on the subject, as well as TEDx speeches.
In her own words, here are the best ways to start decluttering today to celebrate National Clean Your Room Day:
Tip #1: Start Small
Pick the room you spend the most time in. Commit to keeping your it clean and clutter-free. Once you do this it will become easier to tackle those other places that need more work.
Tip #2: Identify How Stuff Makes You Feel
Take time to feel how things in your space make you feel. If something you have doesn’t make you feel good, for any reason, get rid of it to make space for something that does. This could be a piece or art, furniture, clothes, dishes, or just about anything. The stuff we have becomes a trigger for different emotional states, so when you choose to only have things around that evoke happiness or contentment, you create that in your life.
Tip #3: Breathe
Even cleaning your space can be daunting, so take a moment to breathe deeply and focus on the space you want to create for yourself. Breathing is connected to good mental health and lowering stress levels, so take a deep breath or ten before you start. It will help you focus and get motivated.
Tip #4: Create Beauty
Committing to creating beauty in your space is a powerful way to ensure you focus on feeling good and keeping your mood up. Maybe this is a bouquet of flowers or potted plants, a beautiful piece of art, or something handmade. Whatever you find beautiful, add it to your space. This will help you create what you want and be willing to let go of things no longer serving you.
