Tips for Decluttering This Spring for Better Brain Health

Last week we looked at how clutter affects your brain, as well as your mental and physical health. Clutter and disorganization decrease focus and can even reduce your working memory. It can even have you reaching for the snacks more often (also not good for your health).

It's nearly spring, so it's the perfect time to start thinking about spring cleaning. Every room in your home needs a rebirth come spring, and we've put together a few tips you can use all over your house to make a change that will boost your brain health.

Decluttering Your Kitchen

• Throw away old, expired items that are in your pantry.
• Give away unused items (that are still good) to food banks.
• Toss any older spices that are no longer fresh.
• Remove any torn or stained towels or dishcloths from the kitchen.
• Get rid of chipped or cracked dishes.
• Toss broken appliances or tools. Donate unused items.

Decluttering Your Living Space

• Go through your shelves and donate any decorations you don't really need. Less is more.
• Get rid of empty DVD and CD cases. Donate movies you don't watch. Throw away any damaged or scratched ones.
• Remove unnecessary items and old papers from the drawers in end tables.
• Go through your old magazines. Recycle ones you don't want. Donate books you no longer need.

Decluttering Your Bedrooms

• Remove items from the top of your dresser you don't use daily.
• Donate shoes you haven't worn in the last 12 months.
• Go through closets and drawers. Donate items you don't use or wear.
• Clean under side tables and beds for things you can donate, store somewhere else, or throw away.

Decluttering Your Bathrooms

• Throw away cosmetics that are over a year old.
• Discard any empty containers.
• Remove anything from the bathroom sink and counter that don't serve a purpose.
• Go through towels and remove ones that are torn or stained. You can add them to a rag bag for cleaning purposes.

Decluttering Your Office

• Throw old receipts over a year old unless they’re needed for taxes.
• File receipts that you need to keep.
• Toss bills over a year old. Be sure to shred anything with personal information.
• Go through filing folders and cabinets and throw away items that you no longer need.

Decluttering doesn't have to be hard. Use this guide and pick a room every day or every week to work on. With these tips, you'll soon have a clutter-free home to enjoy this spring. And your brain will thank you!

Stay tuned. Next week we'll be talking about change (that's what spring is all about), why your brain doesn't like it, and why it's important to get your brain out of its comfort zone.