Spring is a natural time for renewal. The weather warms, days lengthen, windows open. As clean air and light pour in, you may feel inspired to let that freshness into everything—your physical space, your mind, your body. And it turns out that doing so is intricately tied to your overall health and well-being. Studies show that the rituals of cleaning and getting rid of what's no longer serving you—such as worn-out possessions, old habits, emotional ties, or unhealthy thoughts—can actually improve your physical and mental health. So start by tackling the piles of old bills, the crumbs under the refrigerator, the much-neglected bathtub, and then apply some of those same principles to other areas of your life, such as your workout routine, diet, or relationships. We guarantee you’ll feel a whole lot better if you do.

Declutter your physical space

Tackle stuff the smart way

Do you feel rotten when clutter levels rise past a certain point? Consider this research: Self-identified hoarders (who have a tendency to collect and an inability to dispose of things) and family members of hoarders are nearly three times more likely to be overweight and have more medical and mental health issues than their family members, according to a 2008 report in Psychiatry Research. Although hoarding is an extreme example, people with typical clutter problems report anxiety, guilt, and depression about the clutter in their homes.

Whether it's the garage, the trunk of your car, or the playroom, you probably have at least one spot that seems impossible to organize. Rather than rushing out to buy shelves or bins, it's better to start with the big-picture, says Peter Walsh, organizing expert for The Oprah Winfrey Show and author of Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? (Free Press, 2008). Ask yourself, “What do I want from this space?” For a bedroom, your goals might include serenity, rest, intimacy, or comfort. Then remove anything that doesn't contribute to those key words. "Once you've removed things that don't serve your vision—either by moving them to a more appropriate part of the house or getting rid of them altogether—you can focus on organizing the things that do."