As warmer weather rolls in and flowers begin to bloom, many of us feel the urge to refresh our homes. But spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up your space — it could be one of the most overlooked mental health and mindfulness tools out there.
“Cleaning your room could easily be one of the most powerful practical strategies we have to keep our mood and mental health in check,” says Jaya Jaya Myra, a former research scientist turned best-selling author and mind-body wellness expert, who coined the term, ‘conscious character development’. “Keeping your home clean and clutter-free has a direct, profound, and positive impact on keeping your mind happy, focused, and clear.”
The connection between our physical surroundings and our mental state is more direct than many people realize. When life starts to feel chaotic or emotionally overwhelming, it might be worth taking a closer look at what’s happening in your home environment.
“While we can’t always snap our fingers and change our mood, cleaning your home could be that magic you’re looking for,” Myra says. “When your external space is clean and organized, it triggers these same emotions inwardly, creating mental calmness and peace of mind. This is one of the most powerful mindfulness hacks available for improving your mood and mental health.”
This simple act of cleaning, often viewed as a mundane chore, becomes something more: a physical representation of clarity and control. When you’re in the middle of anxiety or stress, regaining even a small sense of control—like organizing your space—can offer an emotional anchor.
Studies have shown that cluttered environments can increase cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. A messy room or overflowing closet can become a visual to-do list that never ends, keeping your brain in a loop of unfinished tasks and low-grade stress. Myra’s perspective echoes this science-backed truth: by decluttering your home, you’re also decluttering your mind.
This doesn’t mean you have to tackle your whole house in one day. Myra recommends starting small—one drawer, one countertop, one room at a time. Even micro-efforts can have a macro effect on your mindset. As you physically clear space, you’re also making space for calmness, creativity, and a sense of renewal.
What’s more, the process of cleaning can act as a form of active meditation. Repetitive tasks like folding laundry, wiping down surfaces, or sorting through papers can bring your attention to the present moment. That focus on the now is the essence of mindfulness, and it’s what many people struggle to achieve through traditional seated meditation.
“When your environment is cluttered, your mind will reflect this same energy,” says Myra. “But when you create order in your home, you invite clarity, focus, and a renewed sense of purpose into your life.”
For those seeking mental wellness tools that don’t involve apps, expensive therapies, or major lifestyle changes, spring cleaning could be a surprisingly accessible first step. The mental shift that comes from a clean, intentional living space has ripple effects—boosting productivity, improving sleep, and even strengthening relationships, all of which contribute to a more balanced and mindful life.
As spring nudges us toward growth and new beginnings, consider how a little order in your external world could spark calm in your internal one. The benefits might go far beyond just a shiny kitchen or an organized closet. You might just find a clearer mind waiting on the other side of your freshly made bed.
