Many of us start feeling down when the days get shorter. This could be mild, or a more substantial mood change known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Health care providers and mental health professionals have therapy and medication options that can help. There are also several self-care options that can be included in a treatment plan, including cleaning. We’re sharing cleaning hacks to help chase away the winter blues.

Clean Your Windows – Don’t wait for spring to clean your windows. Sure, there may not be as much light available in winter, but bring what sunshine there is inside through sparkling windows. And then try to set up your working and living space so that you’re spending more time near those sunny windows.

Declutter – Clutter has been shown to affect your mental health. In the winter, when you’re inside a lot, it can have a bigger impact. Pick a manageable size area that you see a lot and work on organizing it. As a bonus, as you move things around you’ll be getting exercise, which is a tried-and-true SAD treatment.

Clean Outdoor Spaces – Soak up some sun, even if it’s chilly by getting outside. Clean out the garage, wipe down the patio furniture, put the garden to bed, or choose another outdoor cleaning task. In addition to getting you outside, it also gets you prepared for the warmer, longer days ahead.