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HEALTHY, WEALTHY & WISE APRIL 2018 Published exclusively for clients of DNA Pro Cleaning & Restoration In This Issue Why do We Clean in Spring? It Pays to Clean Gutters in the Spring Doctors Debate Value of Chemotherapy Don’t Retire... Refire! Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Linguine Good Clean Funnies Moneywise: Put Retirement Before Future College Funding Why do We Clean in Spring? Have you ever wondered why we are annually seized by a sudden urge to air out the house, banish dust, organize closets, clean out cabinets, scrub floors, wash windows and organize our garages, attics and basements? It turns out there are biological, social and psychological reasons for the spring cleaning ritual… and that’s a good thing. ww2.pointsoflight.org/nvw 703.520.5060 www.dnaproclean.com Biological Reasons During winter, days are shorter and melatonin production (the hormone that produces drowsiness and enables us to fall asleep) is increased, making us want to relax and sleep more. Our mood tends to be more subdued and energy levels are lower. Housekeeping habits may slip. We spend more time indoors. Added indoor activities, coupled with the fact that we tend to keep doors and windows closed result in soil and contaminant build-up. So when spring arrives, most of us are ready for the renewed energy and freshness it brings. Days get progressively longer and nights are shorter. The additional daylight suppresses production of melatonin. The more daylight we are exposed to, the less melatonin we produce and the more alert, energetic and active we feel. Emotional Reasons Once the winter doldrums pass, we become more aware of the less-than-ideal condition of our surroundings. The energy and optimism of spring prompts us to improve our environment. It’s easier to be enthusiastic about cleaning and organizing in the springtime. You feel a sense of accomplishment upon completing a task. Your self-esteem increases. Endorphins are released into your body, increasing your sense of wellbeing. In addition, you feel pride of ownership when your home is clean and organized, further improving your mood. Few things make you feel more positive than living in a home that is clean, fresh and neatly organized. Historical Reasons The history of early America also provides a basis for the spring cleaning custom. In the winter, fireplaces, oil lamps and wood stoves created a fine layer of oily soot, ashes and dust on floors, walls, ceilings, rugs and windows. As temperatures increased and days got longer, use of these heat and light sources decreased. Spring was the perfect time to fling open windows and doors and clean everything. Continued on next page }