We all love to live in a clean house. Even you are not a cleaning fanatic, there is a peace and satisfaction that comes with being in a clean environment.
Researchers have found a connection between a clean house and our mental well-being. According to a November 2009 Study Bulletin on Personality and Social Psychology, women with high levels of the stress hormone cortisol confessed that their homes were disorderly.
Out of the interviewed, only those who felt their homes were well-organized were happier and at ease.
So, how can a clean home improve your clear thinking? Here are five different ways.
1. Benefits for your body and mind
This is according to the results of a study by the Physical Activity Department of Indiana University. The experiment involved comparing the physical activity of 998 persons of ages between 49 years and 65 with the level of cleanliness in their homes. Out of those observed, people with clean house seemed more active and healthy. It was established that their physical activity could only be related to the cleanliness in their homes.
Think about it; mopping the floor, arranging seats, dusting and cleaning dishes involves a lot of movement. We can actually burn a lot of calories during this exercise.
Besides, one can opt to be conscious of their position during the activity just like in a workout session. This means, moving in ways to stretch some specific parts of the body to achieve certain results after several weeks of systematic cleaning. This back and forth movements cause our bodies to release out excess energy, toxins and improve blood circulation. Besides losing some pounds, our minds will feel at ease at the end of the exercise.
2. Increases your chances of eating healthy
A research published in a journal of the Association for Psychological Science in 2013 showed that physical order, as represented by orderly environments, influences healthy choices. It is easier to spot an apple in an organized space than in a chaotic room.
Moreover, a recent study by researchers at Cornell University Food and Brand Lab found out that being in a messy environment is stressful. Snacks seem to be our go-to choices when we seek comfort for our already stressed out self.
Still on the 2016 research findings, Brian Wansink the director of the Food and Brand Lab explains that we are likely to overeat when depressed about the situation, which in turn affects our health. A poor eating habit will sooner or later catch up with our physical and mental health.
So, if you stress about not having a clean house (even if you don’t realize), it can affect your eating choices.
3. A clean house = better sleep
It is clear that a high level of untidiness in our homes causes stress and anxiety. This alone is enough to deprive us a good night’s sleep. Besides, there is a way the brain cannot be at peace when there is clutter around. This is because to the brain, clutter signifies incomplete work. We can hardly sleep better when our brain is not at ease.
According to a bedroom survey conducted by National Sleep Foundation in 2011, people with a habit of tidying their bed each morning have a 19% more chance of a better sleep. Seventy-five percent of the interviewees admitted that their sleep is even better when their bedding is clean and fresh. This is because one feels physically relaxed and comfortable in such a bed.
There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep after a busy day at work. One wakes up with a renewed mind, ready to conquer the new day’s challenge. Won’t we all want to give anything just to achieve this? A clutter-free home will do!
4. Fight off infections and illness
Do we even stop to think that indoor air can be more contaminated than outdoors? We are always mindful of the possible pollution in the outside environment and public places. We forget that our number one threat could be right within our homes.
Actually, the US Environmental Protection Agency gives more insight to the idea of indoors being more polluted than outdoors in their official website. According to their background on indoor air quality, the air within many American homes is possibly between two to five times, even sometimes above 100 times more contaminated than outside.
Think of the amount of pet dander, fluffs, mold, bug skeletons and dust mites that may accumulate in a home that is not regularly cleaned. A person who spends most of their time in the house will be inhaling all of these.
It is no surprise one would be complaining of presupposed allergic reactions such as wheezing, running nose, itchy eyes and other problems. Many of these can be prevented by keeping a clean house.
5. Boost productivity
A productive person is a happy person. Our minds work better when there is less clutter around. Going by the findings of a study by Princeton Neuroscience Institute on Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex, a home in haphazard condition is a recipe for distraction.
Without clutter in an environment, the mind is more focused and can analyze information quickly. This results in efficiency in any kind of work.
Conclusion
These benefits can trickle down to other aspects of the day. For instance, one will work faster, have time to rest and can actually afford the time to prepare a healthy meal. Such a person is also highly likely to retire to bed early, not to mention enjoy a comfortable sleep.
The lesson is, for a clear mind and healthier life, do what you can during the day to keep your home clean, neat and orderly. It will do your mind and body a world of good.
photo credit: living room remodel ideas via photopin (license)
Great read! This is so true in some extent.