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.
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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.
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