That Time Of The Year Again: Spring Cleaning And All About The Tradition
Spring is finally here!
Here is something to ponder on whilst you’re dusting, and wiping every square-inch of your house – spring cleaning is actually rooted in religion, culture, and possibly even our biology.
Spring is a season of renewal, so let in some fresh air – and maybe clean behind the fridge, a bit.
Why is it that so many people around the world tend to properly clean their houses during springtime?
Here are some reasons why spring cleaning is a global rite:
1. Biological reasons
During the winter, our bodies tend to naturally produce more melatonin, a hormone that increases sleepiness. As we move towards spring and the days get longer, we produce less of this hormone, and start wanting to go out more and become more productive, which makes us want to clean more.
2. Spiritual traditions
Spring cleaning dates back to the liberation of Israelites from Egypt, which is now known and celebrated as the Passover. To prepare for the Passover, the Torah wants not a crumb of leaven (yeast) in the house and consequently, people would meticulously clean their houses.
In Persian culture, people would also clean their houses in Springtime, to prevent unfortune in the upcoming year.
3. Psychological Benefits
Spring cleaning can improve your mood and reduce stress. Clutter can overwhelm our senses, and remind us of things that we still haven’t done.
When spring cleaning, one can even find things that they haven’t used in months, which can give a temporary dopamine boost which comes with finding new things. In addition, getting rid of old items can feel like a fresh new start.
Apar, from all of this, springtime means it is warm enough to open windows but not warm enough for insects to be a problem – and we all know how much of a problem they can be during the Maltese summer!
Have you started your spring cleaning yet?
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