How to Relieve Stress and Anxiety: A Surprising Secret Revealed That Allows You To Be In Control
Posted: Monday, March 08, 2010
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
Want to feel less anxious, use calories and usher in Spring at the same time? If your answer to this is "yes," my answer back is a bittersweet, "clean house."
Ian Shaffer, M.D., chief medical officer of MHN, Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary. "A thorough spring cleaning definitely brings with it a feel-good sense of satisfaction," he adds, "and the physical exertion of dusting, vacuuming and scrubbing has been found to reduce stress and anxiety."
I like those words that were mentioned: in control, organized, reduced stress. No wonder a warm feeling comes over me when I complete a house-cleaning project. It was not my imagination that I felt "in control" and "less stressed.
The first day of spring is March 21. In the US and Canada: Saturday, March 20th, is the official first day of spring for 2010. It changes on a yearly basis because the first official day of spring is the (Spring) Vernal Equinox. This is when the sun is directly above the equator. (Wikianswers.com)
It has been suggested that the origins of spring cleaning date back to the Iranian Norouz, the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring [ citation needed] . Iranians continue the practice of "khooneh tekouni" which literally means "shaking the house" just before the New Year. Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned, from the drapes to the furniture. A similar tradition is the Scottish "New Year's cleaning" on Hogmanay (December 31), a practice now also widespread in Ireland, New Zealand, and to some extent North America. (Wikipedia.com)
I am so looking forward to my Spring Cleaning because I know how good it will feel when the job is complete. There is also the added bonus of using more calories and having a shiny, sparkling home. I plan to take it one room at a time and dust and clean everything.
You may want to view my article about a little white rag that sped up my cleaning and dusting chores. (I am not selling anything.)
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)I exercise regularly, it's just part of my life. When I do clean the house though I consider it exercise and forgo my usual stuff. Also, I get lost in the work, which is a good thing and there's always the knowledge of having a clean place to relax in after it's all done.
I love cleaning my house because since retiring it is my greatest for of exercise except for swimming in the summer. I make it a point to do something rigorously everyday and it helps my body and attitude. Good article Fran. Thanks for sharing.
I desperately want that feeling of 'being in control', but is there another way to get it Fran other than housecleaning? I'm kidding. I too like the feeling of cleaning the house, top to bottom, one junk drawer at a time. Like spring, it gives you a positive feeling of a fresh start.
"I am so looking forward to my Spring Cleaning because I know how good it will feel when the job is complete." Plz, Fran, c'mon over here when you're done with yours. You could make some serious money doing this, and that shouldn't be too bad for your stress level either-:) I noticed a spot on one of our windows that's certainly shouting to be Spring-cleaned. ~mogama~
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