With finals upon us, it's easy to skip making the bed or picking up after ourselves. We don't think to dust or vacuum. The dirty clothes pile up and the desk doesn't get the declutter it desperately needs. You may justify that you'll take care of it all when you aren't as busy and that you don't want to take the time away from studying to clean your room. What you don't realize is that you're actually just hurting yourself.
It has been proven that having a dirty room can negatively impact your mind. Making your bed every morning is shown to increase productivity and overall happiness. Your room is the place where you sleep, spend some alone time, study, watch TV, etc. That's a space you need to be able to relax in. When it is dirty and cluttered it can overstimulate your senses and trigger feelings of guilt for letting it get out of control. Scientists have linked having a dirty room to depression even. Cleaning, in general, creates a feeling of accomplishment and freshness leaving you feeling renewed and productive.
So wouldn't it be better to clean your room during your study break so you can feel good about yourself and start back studying in a good mindset rather than mentally kicking yourself for the month-old cups and plates on your dresser with who knows what stuck to them?
It goes much deeper than just cleaning your room. It also goes into how you decorate it. Even if you keep your room clean but there's lots of bulky furniture taking up space or a packed closet and overflowing drawers or cluttered surfaces like a desk or nightstand it can still negatively impact your mental wellbeing. Put some thought into the space you are going to occupy. You want it to be a soothing place where you can feel relaxed, not claustrophobic.
Below are four tips on ways to decorate and clean your room! Hope they help and happy cleaning!
1. Simplistic Over Clutter
If you've ever been to Ikea then you know their furniture and decor are very minimalistic and simplistic. Clean lines and edges. Neutral colors. Nothing too bright or flashy. This is more than a style. This is a method of creating a calm neutral atmosphere that doesn't overstimulate your senses. Don't just buy whatever you think is cute to go in your room. Develop a neutral color palette (gray, beige, light blues, soft pinks, white, wood tones, etc) and shop for items that fit the palette tones. Avoid bulky bed frames and giant clunky dressers. You can find a full-size bed in a sleek frame or a dresser that holds the same amount of clothes with a lighter design that will minimize the space taken up in your room.
2. 10 Second Tidy
Before bed simply move around the room putting away clothes and shoes, emptying the trash can, putting away everything on your bathroom counter, putting all the books strewn across your desk in your backpack. I promise doing this every night before bed will help you sleep better and minimize the mess that can accumulate when you ignore the growing mess. Also who doesn't love waking up to a clean room? It only takes a few minutes to do this before bed if you do it every night and is so worth it for the positive energy it creates.
3. Plants, Plants, Plants!
Houseplants are not just decorations. They're mood boosters, destressors! They enhance your creativity, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants. Even if you don't have a green thumb, give them a try! Go for a low maintenance plant, like the Snake Plant, it needs low light and occasional watering! Not to mention having those pops of green will make your room feel fresh. If having real plants is too much commitment then swing by good ole' Ikea and pick up some of their fake plants that look oh so real! Ikea has multiple sizes and cute pots all for really good prices!
4. Invest In Storage Bins And Organizers
Drawer organizers? Shoe organizers? Yes please! Having a system in place to organize your clothes can help greatly reduce the clothes on the floor and flowing out of their places. Use storage bins to hide those winter clothes you aren't using in the dead of summer or the numerous throw blankets that are taking up space. They can be hidden under beds or in closets! Use a desk organizer to keep writing utensils and papers from cluttering the desk. Having these organization systems in place will make your room that much easier to clean! You can take the 10 Second Tidy to 5 seconds!
Don't just clean your room because your mom told you to. Clean it because you want to be happier and healthier. It'll make all the difference!
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