It’s officially spring; the flowers are blooming, the days are longer, and a cluttered closet is calling your name.

The concept of “Spring Cleaning” is over 3,000 years old. Rooted in various cultures, spring cleaning has become a prevalent phenomenon in many countries. This is because Spring is symbolic of new beginnings, rebirth, and renewal.

So naturally, what better way to be reborn than by organizing your room? (yes I’m being sarcastic.)

Strangely enough, the impact that cleaning has on the brain is momentous. According to Katherine Milkman, a PhD, and professor at the Wharton Univerity of Pennsylvania, spring cleaning creates the “Fresh Start Effect.” This refers to the connection between increased motivation and socially significant calendar dates (Ex. holidays, birthdays, etc). This gives people more motivation to achieve their goals, similar to New Year’s resolutions. However, unlike New Year’s resolutions, spring cleaning is more of a tangible, one-time event, making it easier to maintain.

The process of sorting, organizing, and seeing the final results has many benefits. The task of completing something from beginning to end creates a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. For people with anxiety, it can help alleviate stress by providing a sense of control and consistency. Furthermore, having a clean, personalized space gives someone a work environment tailored to their needs and interests. It also saves the time of searching for misplaced items, thus increasing productivity.

“I firmly believe that a clear space is a clear mind,” says Gayanika Karthik, who uses spring break to organize and recollect herself.

In addition to clearing up space, getting rid of unwanted items can have other advantages. For example, donating clothes, toys, books, and other items can help people in need. For people wanting a little pocket money, yard sales or online listings can help people sell items.

Even if you don’t throw stuff out,  still a certain joy in rediscovering old or forgotten items.

“Cleaning gives me a sense of nostolgia and relief personally,” remarks Elaine Wu, “Seeing items that I may not look at all the time serves as memorabilia.”

When done right, spring cleaning can help you clean out both your house and your mind. So the next time you’re staring at your cluttered desk, overflowing laundry basket, or messy counters, consider taking the time to organize and rearrange. The results might surprise you.