If your mobility is already good, you might not be that bothered about turning your monthly clean into a workout. But if you’re wondering how necessary it might be to start working on your range of motion, there are some simple at-home tests you can try.

The sit-to-stand test is the gold-standard way to assess how well you move, and it only takes a moment to do. You can also build a mobility test into your cleaning routine, Dr Ryan says. “If you don’t clean the back corners of your cupboards or reach a certain shelf very often, when you do, it can be an indicator of whether you are struggling with it more than you used to.”

Paying attention to what you used to be able to do can be a good indicator of mobility, and if you notice that reaching, squatting or twisting feels harder, you can take steps to change it. “If you are losing mobility, it’s not something you just have to accept – you can work on it and improve it at any age,” says Dr Ryan.

She stresses that many people often start to move less once they begin to feel less limber, and that can lead to a downward spiral. We want to move more, not less. Much like how spring cleaning makes your home a nicer place to be, working on your mobility can help to make movement feel a little more inviting.

Spring cleaning? Here’s how you can turn decluttering into a mobility workout