Spring cleaning is an activity that teachers do during the spring. Spring is a time where teachers clean out their rooms to symbolize a fresh start and welcome in the spring weather. This reset happens when the season changes from winter to spring.
Spring cleaning doesn’t just act as a way to declutter but a mental reset to get rid of unnecessary objects that may be causing stress.
“If I have a cluttered space, then my mind is cluttered,” teacher Ms. Kara Morelli said.
Clutter can increase stress by distracting us and overwhelming our senses with extraneous stimuli.
“A clean space is a clean mind,” Ms. Morelli said. “I like to keep my workspace and my students’ space decluttered to cut down on any distractions or overstimulation.”
Science department chairperson Dr. Amanda Pope believes, “When spring cleaning doesn’t happen, it can lead to a snowball effect where there are lots of objects in a classroom or a house that no longer serves a purpose and takes up space.”
When cleaning is done incrementally, there are less items that will accumulate that need to get tidied up at once. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by cleaning, it can feel relieving because it’s not as stressful when your mind perceives it as a smaller job.
“Don’t wait until the spring. Do it consistently, and then you don’t have to feel overwhelmed by a lot of clutter that is needing attention,” Dr. Pope said.
Additionally, spring cleaning doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be enjoyable if you know tricks to make it feel like less of an endeavor.
When Ms. Morelli dusts, she begins dusting the top shelf so the dust can fall to the lower shelves and she doesn’t have to re-clean the lower shelves. Ms. Morelli also enjoys listening to music or a podcast to build a whole vibe while she cleans.
Spring cleaning is a fun way for teachers to get rid of overwhelming amounts of objects that can add to the level of stress felt in their classroom. Getting rid of this stress helps them teach their students better and makes the environment more conducive for learning.
