A Unique Form of Therapy: The Physical and Mental Benefits of Cleaning

A Unique Form of Therapy: The Physical and Mental Benefits of Cleaning

By: Alice Robertson

Cleaning is a remarkable form of therapy. Transforming one’s home from a cluttered, disheveled, dusty mess into a well-ordered, clean-smelling space confers a strong feeling of accomplishment and a sense of relief and ease that’s difficult to describe and harder to equal. It confers powerful mental and emotional benefits, as well as the satisfaction and reassurance that you can take control of circumstances and begin a healthier lifestyle. After a thorough cleaning, your home looks great and feels fresh — and so do you. 

Mental Benefits

Studies have shown that there is a definite connection between clutter and stress; a cluttered living space can leave you feeling as though your life is out of control, which generates an anxious feeling of incompletion that makes it harder to get through other daily tasks. And it can make other problems — even insignificant ones — seem much bigger than they really are. Decluttering helps alleviate that stress by establishing a space in which you can relax. 

There’s also a strong sense of renewal. Once a dirty house has been cleaned you’re on the verge of a fresh start, which leaves you feeling anything is possible and that you can alter other problems and begin anew. Most importantly, it’s a basis for altering the state of your mental health and adding healthy personal habits to your daily routine that build on the personal momentum a good cleaning and decluttering can initiate. 

Cleaning also alleviates depression. When you get home after a stressful day at work only to be confronted with a dirty, disorganized home, the cortisol levels that have built up over the course of the day are reinforced so you’re unable to relax. Your sleep, mood, and sense of optimism suffer, leaving you feeling strung out and unable to carry out your normal daily routine. 

Physical Benefits

One of the great benefits of cleaning is that you can improve your mental state with your own hands. By carrying out all those old boxes you’ve been staring at for months, you’ve taken control of the situation and done something resolutely positive. It’s not unlike the sense of accomplishment one might get from running or bicycling further and faster than ever before. 

And there’s a chance a dirty house could be contributing to illness in your family. As HomeAdvisor explains, “Issues like mold, radon and carbon dioxide can be hazardous to your health. If your home contains one or more of these elements, you may be at risk for ailments that could have been avoided!” And, of course, cleaning improves your physical environment when you clear out all those allergens and toxins that constitute a threat to respiratory health.

Creating a clean space also encourages better personal health habits, including eating healthier foods. The August 13, 2013, issue of the journal Psychological Science published a study in which people working in an orderly space for just 10 minutes tended to choose an apple over a chocolate bar, unlike people who worked in a messy space for that period of time. The study’s conclusion was that people in a disordered environment are apt to seek out coping mechanisms, such as choosing less healthy “comfort” foods. 

A similar study in the Journal of Obesity found that people who are inclined to stay organized in their personal habits were more likely to stick with their exercise routines. It concluded that one feels more in tune with the progress the body is making and you’re more enthusiastic about exercise and the possibility of further progress. 

Giving your home a good cleaning and decluttering is about more than just tidying up and good hygiene. It’s an exercise in good mental and physical health. So, if you’ve been feeling guilty about procrastinating, consider that rolling up your sleeves and giving the place a good going over will help you feel better in general. 

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com