3 Ways to Spring Clean
Spring cleaning becomes an essential task on the To-Do list to welcome the spring quarter. From decluttering your space to adding floral scents to your home, spring cleaning can take different forms, all of which help you freshen up after the long winter months. Here are three ways to spring clean to celebrate the season of renewal.
1. ORGANIZE YOUR WARDROBE
Refresh your wardrobe with this season's light colors and floral prints! This is the perfect time to sort through your winter clothes and see if there are any pieces that you can no longer see yourself wearing. Instead of leaving them in the back of your closet just taking up space, you can always donate used clothes to a local charity! This way, you are not only decluttering your wardrobe, but also contributing to a good cause.
The following donation centers are located closest to UCLA [1]:
Goodwill Southern California Donation Center
1894 N. Westwood Blvd. (310) 441 - 2740
Goodwill Southern California Store & Donation Center
11726 Santa Monica Blvd. (310) 442 - 9655
Goodwill Southern California Donation Center
11151 Pico Blvd. (310) 445 - 8430
2. FRESHEN UP YOUR SPACE
Welcome the spring season with essential oils! Essential oils are extracted from plants through a process called steam distillation, creating a strong aroma that is perfect for any space. [2]
However, the benefits of essential oils go beyond their pleasant scents. In a six-week study, researchers found that lavender oil demonstrated mood stabilizing and neuroprotective properties, successfully alleviating anxiety and improving the mood of 36 individuals. [3] Lemon oil was found to have similar therapeutic effects in another study conducted on 56 participants. [4] Thus, essential oils play an important role in not only capturing the feeling of spring in your physical environment, but also improving your mental space.
There are many ways to incorporate essential oils into your daily life:
Diffuser: Place water and your favorite essential oil into a diffuser. This is an easy way to make your room smell fresh, and at the time, provide a source of relaxation for yourself. [5]
Spray: Add drops of your favorite essential oil to a water-based solution, which you then shake and spray into the air. This can renew the mood of your room right away. [5]
3. DECORATE WITH SUCCULENTS
Complete your renewed space with plants or succulents! Some people prefer succulents over plants because succulents can tolerate dry living conditions, and are significantly easier to maintain compared to plants. Either way, bringing the outdoors inside your home can add a lively touch to your living space, creating a truly springtime experience.
Indeed, studies have shown that rooms with natural and artificial lighting, in addition to living plants, can significantly mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety. [7] With such therapeutic benefits, plants should perhaps be part of your living space all year round?
Purchase your succulents and plants from a nearby flower shop [6]:
Hashimoto Nursery
1935 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Francis Cactus Succulents
10552 Victory Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Dream Garden
6751 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90034
BOTTOM LINE
Spring is not only the start of a new season, but also symbolic of a rejuvenated and renewed self. Spring cleaning can be a form of stress relief as well as an opportunity for self-reflection and self-care. From reduced anxiety to improved mood, the health benefits of spring cleaning are clearly supported by research. Thus, as you spring into the last quarter of the academic school year, use this time to recharge your batteries and take care of yourself so that you can truly realize your fullest potential!
References
1. “Goodwill Southern California: Transforming Lives.”goodwillsocal.org. (n.d.).
2. “What Are Essential Oils?” naha.org (2019).
3. “Lavender and the Nervous System”. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2013).
4. “Aromatherapy’s Benefits Limited to Mood Improvement”. Harvard Women's Health Watch. (2008).
5. “Taking Care of your Health & Wellbeing.” takingcharge.csh.umn.edu. (2016).
6. “Hashimoto Nursery.” hashimotonursery.com. (2013).
7. “How Does Your Personal Environment Impact Your Wellbeing?” takingcharge.csh.umn.edu. (2016).
more in be well
