Health

The Connection Between Mental Health & Cleaning

Have you ever spent an entire day cleaning, and once you were through, there was no doubt in your mind that it was time well spent? Whether it was your home or your vehicle, or whether you dreaded the thought of it, you immediately felt better. The realization couldn’t have been more crystal clear than your perfectly polished windows: cleaning made you feel more focused and less stressed.

Most people know how a clean environment can positively affect how they feel or how well they focus, and the opposite is also true. When you’re living in a messy space, it can make your mind feel cluttered (a.k.a., anxiety and stress).

Exploring the (mostly positive) connection between mental health and cleaning may be just the motivation you need to start.

Cleaning Improves Your Mood

There isn’t anything more relaxing than taking time out of your day for a good, thorough cleaning. Well, let’s be honest, the most relaxing part is diving into fresh bed sheets when it’s all said and done. Still, one of the greatest things about cleaning is that even if you’re breaking a sweat, moving from one task to the next, the results can be incredibly peaceful.

Cleaning can be just as much of a mindfulness practice as meditation or yoga. Calm doesn’t just come from sitting in stillness; mindfulness is about being engaged and present in an experience. And the more mindful you are, the better it can help reduce your anxiety or nervous energy. So tune into the scents of your soaps or essential oils, allowing them to lift you into a Zen state. Your mind experiences relief when it is free from clutter and mess.

Cleaning Helps You Focus

Along with positive, calming effects on your overall mood, cleaning can enhance productivity, leaving you with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. When you’ve got your workspace or living space looking spotless – free of dirt or dust-ridden distractions – it is much easier to focus on what needs to get done for the day. Not to mention, clutter inhibits your brain from effectively processing information, which means an organized space yields fewer distractions.

Cleaning Gives You a Sense of Purpose and Control

When you’re surrounded by mess, you’ll always feel like there’s no end in sight to the clutter and chaos. If you’ve ever noticed a tendency to clean when you’re stressed, that’s probably your mind and body looking for more order in your environment and, thereby, your life.

Furthermore, when you’re drowning in unnecessary possessions, it is bound to make you feel like you don’t have the time, energy, focus, or space for anything or anyone else. Even if you aren’t consciously giving these things your attention, there are still too many things trying to fight for it in your brain. Whittling your belongings down to your favorite things and necessities creates space and focus for what’s most important.

It’s worth noting that there is such a thing as trying to gain too much control. As in, cleaning may become compulsive, or excessive cleaning can be a red flag for a mental health issue needing to be addressed. If you’re unsure of the line between compulsive and constructive habits, consider seeking professional advice or help.

For those of you finding it a challenge to get started, because maybe you’re depressed or overwhelmed, start small. Keeping your surroundings clean – even if it means that you only have time to do a small section each day – will make you feel more empowered to take charge of your life, reopening the space for hobbies, happiness, and everything in between.

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