Maintain tidiness7/6/2023 ![]() A better smelling home can lift your mood If you're not ready to let go quite yet you could always place them in another room. So open those letters and file away any paperwork put the bowl in the dishwasher empty the waste paper bin… if your desk is full of knick-knacks competing with your work for attention perhaps now's the time to decide what to get rid of. Things like paperwork and unopened letters are particularly troublesome in addition to their contribution to your cluttered environment they may also act as a visual cue by reminding you of things you've been putting off. Are you cluttering your visual cortex with objects not related to the task at hand? Piles of paperwork your cereal bowl from breakfast unopened letters an overflowing bin… all these task-irrelevant objects could be making it more difficult for you to focus on what needs to be done. If you struggle to focus on office or school work take a look at your work environment. ![]() ![]() The Princeton study we've already mentioned demonstrates that while our brains are perhaps the most complex structures in the universe capable of doing amazing things they're also easily overwhelmed. There's also that sense of satisfaction you get from transforming your messy home into a livable space. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress lessen anxiety and ward off depression. These endorphins go on to interact with the receptors in your brain altering your perception of pain and triggering a positive feeling in your body. We'll talk about the physical benefits of an energetic cleaning blitz later but any form of exercise will result in the release of endorphins. You can approach cleaning as a meditative task or throw yourself into it all elbow grease and dancing with mops. 5 ways a clean home can improve your mental health Cleaning releases endorphins It's a positive thing to control your environment and there are many health benefits to living in a clean space but if you feel compelled to control everything within your home there's a chance you could start to lose control over other aspects of your life. While your enthusiasm for cleaning can be a perfect distraction something to occupy your mind when you're facing challenges in your life you can't let it take over and it shouldn't be used to obscure problems that may require professional help to address. It's also important to consider the amount of time you're spending cleaning and whether it's having a detrimental impact on your relationships or your career. But you can be sure things have gone too far when marks on a kitchen counter or an ornament out of place have the opposite effect. It's important that your enthusiasm for cleaning doesn't become an obsession and that your fascination with organisation doesn't turn into a crutch that you rely on.Ĭleanliness and decluttering can be relaxing and can calm our anxiety. Cleanliness can be a compulsionĪs with most things moderation is key. A more energetic clean may be more beneficial to your physical health while a meditative approach could benefit your mental wellbeing. So it's worth considering how you go about cleaning your home as different approaches may lead to different outcomes. Mindfully washing the dishes means to do so contemplatively by inhaling the scent of the dishwashing liquid and enjoying the sensation of warm water on your hands. In their 2011 study researchers at Princeton University concluded that a cluttered environment makes it more difficult to focus on a specific task due to a person's visual cortex being overwhelmed by all the task-irrelevant objects in the room.Ī 2014 study published in the journal Mindfulness found that participants who took part in 'mindfully' washing the dishes reported a 27% reduction in nervousness along with a 25% improvement in 'mental inspiration'. It was also found that those living in cluttered environments displayed higher levels of cortisol a hormone that's released into a person's blood from their adrenal gland often in response to stress. ![]() Those describing their living spaces as "cluttered" or complained of "unfinished projects" were more likely to be suffering from depression and fatigue than those who described their homes as "restful" and "restorative". Keeping your home clean and tidy is good for your physical and mental wellbeing - or so the science says.Ī 2010 study by researchers at the University of California used software to analyse how 30 cohabiting couples talked about their homes. Personal Care & Toiletries Personal Care & Toiletries.Cleaning & Air Freshening Cleaning & Air Freshening.Housekeeping Essentials Housekeeping Essentials.Janitorial Supplies Janitorial Supplies.Hard Surfaces & Floors Hard Surfaces & Floors. ![]()
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