Alex Belsey

Many of us live busier lives than ever before. Demands on us can range from work, home life, raising children, social commitments, hobbies and more — not to mention our efforts to stay in shape. As studies have shown that our space can have a profound impact on our mental and physical health, staying on top of cleaning is important too. But how is this achievable when there is so much to juggle? A cleaning schedule can help. Whether you are a strictly organised person who loves lists, projects, and ‘checking’ items off when complete, or more laidback, scheduling your cleaning can have lots of benefits. We have rounded up some of the best ones below. It Prevents You Becoming Overwhelmed There are few feelings more tiring than returning home to a mountain of laundry or cleaning, or else finishing the housework only to discover things are back the way they started a few hours later. At such times it can be easy to become discouraged and even overwhelmed. Having a cleaning routine in place helps to prevent this. You know that things will be taken care of even if not right away, because you have already ear-marked some time to handle it. It will also help to ensure that nothing ever gets too out of hand, because it is being regularly addressed. We probably know from our own experience that the longer we leave a mess, the greater it becomes. Cleaning routines help to address this slowly but surely, so that things stay manageable. It Minimises ‘Decision Fatigue’ New studies show that daily decisions all incur an energy cost in the brain. What happens when we have too many decisions to make in the day, even small ones, is that we can develop ‘decision fatigue’. Decision fatigue can feel exactly how it sounds. We’re simply faced with too many decisions until eventually very little gets done. The way to combat this is by taking the decision out of our hands in some way. If we have already allocated time to clean, we don’t have to decide again to do it the next day. We already know that this is what we have planned. Allocating the cleaning to a specific day or time that works for us and trying to stick to it reduces the daily decision fatigue of wondering whether to clean or not! It Can Be Easily Delegated A cleaning schedule will help to illuminate exactly what needs to be done and how regularly. Once you know this, you are in a position to share the load. Partners, children, and other family members or flatmates can all get involved. You could even consider making an event of it with a friend — returning the favour at their home the week after, for example. Even if you are taking care of the cleaning yourself, having a schedule ensures that you can divide up the work sensibly across the whole week, so that you have never given yourself too much to do. It Becomes Routine Cleaning can feel like a chore or an unwelcome obligation if it interrupts us. We might just have settled in for a movie night with friends or a well-earned rest after work when we notice that the surfaces are dusty, for example. Having to get up and start cleaning when we are already tired or had other plans can make the process feel like a punishment. The results we get may even be sloppier too. A cleaning schedule helps to ensure that cleaning doesn’t infringe on your leisure time or otherwise disrupt things. You know when it is going to be done, and you can even indulge in a reward afterwards! It Is More Efficient Our time is precious. We want to get the best results in the least amount of time, with minimal effort. One of the best ways to achieve this is with professional cleaners, but a cleaning schedule can be a great help if you are tackling the cleaning alone. A cleaning schedule helps to ensure that our cleaning is efficient. We are less likely to repeat areas or to forget when things were last dealt with. We can also use a schedule to keep track of things that need to be done only periodically — such as deep cleaning the carpets or mattresses. With a bit of initial effort, even a simple cleaning schedule can help us to stay efficient, effective, and in control.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, there has never been a better time to assess your current situation. You may wish to consider goals in your career, finances, family, or health — but there is no better place to start than your environment itself. Your physical environment can include your home, place of work, or even your car. Anywhere in which you spend a significant amount of time — or see on a daily basis — is a great place to start. Studies show that our physical environment can have a profound effect on our overall wellbeing and even our mental health. Spaces that are clean, hygienic, and clutter-free are more likely to help us stay healthy and inspired. But where do you start? With our five simple but effective tips below, you can refresh your environment, boost your energy, and even feel healthier in time for the start of a new year or the busy festive period! 1. Clean A great first step to feel refreshed and enlivened is cleaning. Whether you tackle the cleaning all in one day yourself, room by room across the course of a week, or even by hiring a professional, it is the best way to begin. Once you have cleaned, and made your space more hygienic and fresh, you may even want to consider how you will keep this up in the future. Perhaps now is a good time to create a cleaning routine or chore list to stick to, for example. You would be surprised at the difference you can make to the appearance of a room even in just ten minutes a day. You may also notice an improvement in certain health conditions such as respiratory issues and skin complaints that are exacerbated by dust or dirt. Even regular carpet cleaning can contribute to improved health by removing the most common nasties from the home. 2. Declutter Once your space is clean and fresh, decluttering what you do not need or use is a great next step. Some people also choose to begin with this step, and then clean what is left. The choice is yours! Start by first considering what you definitely do use or value. Afterwards, discarding what is left should be easier. You can sell, donate, or give away your items, or else recycle things that are no longer fit for use. Experts and psychologists have noted that clear and uncluttered spaces can contribute to less stress and clearer thinking. If you feel regularly overwhelmed, perhaps decluttering some excess items and possessions could be a great way to start feeling more refreshed. 3. Replace Are there items in your home or workplace that you just dread using? Perhaps you know that they are slow, ineffective, or prone to malfunction and using them is always time-consuming. It is time to replace them! Instead of putting up with items that function but cause you to stress with each use, consider donating or getting rid of problematic things and replacing or upgrading them. Many people do not realise that losing minutes each day on simple tasks or issues add up over time — both in terms of time and stress levels. Save yourself the time and hassle in any way you can by investing in equipment, tools or other items that support the flow of your daily tasks. There may be excellent second-hand options to keep costs down too. 4. Rearrange An often overlooked tip for feeling refreshed and energised is to rearrange your spaces. This can be as big or as small a job as you like, depending on your time and energy levels, and whether you need anyone else to help you. Perhaps your desk would benefit from more natural light, for example, or you would like to try a seat or sofa in a different position. Equally, you may simply wish to change the layout of your desk, or move a filing cabinet within easier reach. Start by assessing your daily habits, routines, and needs, and then arrange your space in a way that supports it. This will maximise your energy and efficiency, and help to create the feeling that everything is in flow and that you have less resistance from the environment itself. 5. Refresh: Try Something New You can make your space feel different by trying something new. In the physical sense, this can include a different style of decoration or scent, for example, but it doesn’t have to stop there. You can make your environment feel new by incorporating a new hobby, a change of diet such as trying a plant-based lifestyle, or a complete shift in routine and schedule. However you choose to refresh your space and lifestyle, get creative, experiment, and enjoy the process!

The leaves are falling and the nights are drawing in — Winter is coming! This means exciting times such as Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Christmas, but it can also mean unpredictable weather, traffic jams, or dangerous driving conditions. However, with the quick and simple hacks below, you can easily prepare your car for the challenges ahead and enjoy the Winter season safely. 1. Add An Emergency Kit Winter driving presents several challenges. Frosty roads make braking slippery, foggy conditions impede visibility, and congested periods on the roads can all make a roadside breakdown more likely. This is why there has never been a better time to add an emergency kit to your car. This could include essentials such as a spare tyre (if you know how to fit your own), blankets, a torch or high visibility items, and a mobile phone charger and any details of your roadside breakdown cover. You may also wish to include things that are specific to you or your family, such as medication, snacks, water, or entertainment. You do not need to overload your car, but a few essentials can help to give peace of mind. Be sure to ensure that your roadside cover is up to date too, and that you know the number to call in an emergency. 2. Check (and replace) Your Tyres Winter road conditions are especially treacherous, and are a large contributing factor to why there are often more accidents in the Winter months. One way to help prevent accidents is to ensure that your tyres are in good working order, and to replace them if necessary. This may be a replacement that just ensures the integrity and grip of your tyres, or could be a more specific option. Winter tyres, for example, are specifically made to withstand harsher Winter temperatures and conditions. This can be especially important for anyone living in more rural or remote areas, or those susceptible to heavy snow. Visit a reputable garage for advice and consider investing in the safest, most weather-appropriate tyres that you can afford. 3. Be Energy Efficient A great tip all year round — but perhaps especially in Winter — is to drive in the most energy-efficient way possible. This helps to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your car, but can also save you money and fuel. Driving in an energy-efficient way can mean selecting the right gear, anticipating the road ahead so that sudden speed changes are not necessary, reducing wind speed, and more. For many drivers, it can even mean making the switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle! The driving range of electric cars is increasing all the time, making them an ever-more popular option. Whatever ways you can improve the efficiency of your driving, Winter is a great time to do it so you can save money and stay safe on the roads. 4. Invest In Your Lights (or Keep Them Clean) Excellent lights are a must for the Winter season. They should be reliable, effective, and of course — clean! Add a few minutes to your regular driving checks and routine to clean your essential lights before and after driving. This is so that there is no build-up of dirt or debris that could obscure them at a crucial time - especially since the sun sets earlier. Falling leaves and frost can also both be more likely to obscure your vision in Winter. Consider investing in new or better lights in preparation for the Winter season too. While there are many additional ways to reduce spending on your car, safety features should never be one of them. Always aim for the best you can afford. 5. Add A Wintery Scent A simple, fun, and affordable way to prepare your car for Winter is to add a seasonal scent! These can be in the form of hanging scented items, a spray, cleaning wipes, and more. Not only can these items be a great way to make your car feel fresh and hygienic, they will also make it a pleasure to drive. On nights where you may spend more time in traffic than usual, or have family or little ones to entertain, a festive scent can help make the space more pleasant. With the variety of tips and hacks above, you and your car will be set for a safe Winter season!