3 Reasons to Keep Your Backyard Clean
It can be easy to overlook yard cleanliness when you spend little time outside or when the inside of your house calls for more immediate attention. It is important to pay attention to your yard’s state, though, for a variety of reasons. Here are three of the benefits of yard maintenance that might make you want to take a second look at the state of your property.
1. Pest Control
An unkempt backyard can be a breeding ground for all kinds of critters. Insects, rodents, and other unwanted species can make their way into your home more easily from an overgrown or unclean yard. This is especially true if your yard contains a water feature like a pond or fountain. Mosquitos and other pesky insects lay their eggs in stagnant water, so it’s important to recirculate water and do regular cleaning maintenance. Just be careful when cleaning around pond aerators and fountains, as well as any delicate equipment your yard might have.
2. A Better View
Ever close your curtains just so you don’t have to look at the mess outside? That’s no way to live. The outdoors can be a beautiful, relaxing place that soothes your soul and reduces your stress. A view of a well-loved garden or carefully manicured pond can lift your spirits and provide a feeling of accomplishment whenever you see it. Also, you can open your windows and let in some air and light. Your whole home can benefit from an aesthetically pleasing yard.
3. Health Benefits
Working on landscaping and plant care can provide important, health-improving tools like exercise, stress reduction, and fresh air. Outdoor physical activity can be a surprisingly accurate predictor of healthy aging and lengthened life. Mowing the lawn can improve muscle strength, and picking weeds can enhance dexterity and focus. Time spent outside in the sun can also increase levels of vitamin D, boost energy levels, and even help you sleep better at night.
Keeping your home clean may seem like a source of anxiety or stress, but it doesn’t have to be. Simple steps can be taken to keep both the inside and outside of your house in tip-top shape. Following a daily schedule, keeping a planner, and writing out lists can all make it easier to manage home maintenance and cleaning. Daily tasks can become habits, and over time it can start to feel easier. With all the benefits you can enjoy from having a clean yard, you may even find yourself enjoying the time spent outside with a rake or weed eater in hand.