Did you know that people who clean for 30 minutes a day are likely to be more active outside the home? An Indiana University study showed that there is a link, indicating that many who are physically active are mentally healthy as well. Never underestimate the power of a deep home clean, especially when it comes to your state of mind. Here are some of the ways cleaning helps your mood.
Tidying Up Lifts Your Mood
A busy day at work can clutter the mind. Therefore, coming home to clutter is likely to cause more stress. An untidy home can cause feelings of depression, particularly when you have no time to tidy it all at once. The best way to handle an untidy space is to take one room at a time and go at your own pace. Psychology Today reports that people who make their beds every morning are more likely to get a better night’s sleep. Starting with the bedroom to ensure your mind is rested may help you to get motivated to de-clutter the rest of your home.
Fresh Scents For Mind And Soul
A musty smelling home is often associated with dirt and dust. A fresh, citrus scent may bring back memories of a special summer, or a spicy scent may make you think of autumn. It is known that our mood responds to scents we remember, even if we are not always conscious of it. The best way to get a lingering scent into your home is to deep clean your carpeting. Start by adding some baking soda to your carpets: baking soda absorbs excess moisture, and will soak up the offensive smells like cigarette smoke and pet odors. Then add a spritz of lavender oil or other scent of your choosing to your carpet shampoo, and get cleaning.
Beware Of Cleaning Too Often
While the after-effects of a clean home can lift the mood, the act of cleaning itself can also help to relieve stress and anxiety. In fact, a new study has shown that the act of washing the dishes using mindfulness meditation reduces stress. However, the American Lung Association warn not to clean too much, as excessive use of chemicals can lead to breathing problems, headaches and even more serious long-term effects. Many microbes that you could be cleaning away are actually vital to our health; some exposure builds immunity, leading to better health.
Final Words:
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. Start with 15 – 30 minutes per day and see how it feels. This is a reasonable amount of time to clean, while avoid over-cleaning that could actually do more harm than good.
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