Cleaning can boost your happiness levels
In a comprehensive survey involving 10,000 individuals across ten countries, it has been revealed that regular cleaning offers numerous psychological benefits, including reduced stress and increased well-being. The survey, commissioned by Kärcher, did not specify the exact countries involved, nor did it provide details about the demographics of the participants beyond being Germans.
The results of the survey indicate that a significant number of people find a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in completing cleaning tasks. For instance, 83% of Germans surveyed expressed that tidying a messy room or performing other cleaning tasks provides a sense of satisfaction. Additionally, 80% of people reported feeling more balanced and clear-headed in a clean home, and 73% felt more motivated and energized.
Cleaning can also act as a form of sensory grounding and mindfulness, due to repetitive motions and quiet focus. This can help individuals pull out of overwhelming thoughts, promote a meditative state, and help them reconnect with their bodies. Austrian psychologist Brigitte Boesenkopf explains that if one sees cleaning as a form of pampering for one's home, stress-reducing effects can occur more easily.
Neurobiologists have found that our brains release reward substances when cleaning is performed regularly, according to Boesenkopf. This release of feel-good chemicals can contribute to a sense of accomplishment and overall well-being. Boesenkopf also notes that cleaning can often lead to a meditative state, as one is fully engaged in the task and not distracted by other thoughts.
However, Boesenkopf does not indicate any specific cleaning activities associated with stress relief and well-being in the survey. It is likely that various cleaning activities, from washing dishes to organizing closets, can have positive psychological effects.
It's worth noting that the survey did not indicate any significant conflicts arising from cleaning tasks in German partnerships. Only 5% of Germans surveyed said that regular cleaning leads to conflicts in their relationships.
Boesenkopf recommends spreading cleaning out over two smaller units during the week for a more frequent feeling of accomplishment. This approach can help individuals maintain a clean and organized environment, which in turn can lead to reduced stress and increased well-being.
In conclusion, regular cleaning offers numerous psychological benefits, including reduced stress and increased well-being. By providing a sense of control and accomplishment, acting as a form of sensory grounding and mindfulness, and reducing visual clutter, cleaning can contribute directly to increased mental well-being and reduced stress. It is a simple and effective way to improve one's psychological state and overall quality of life.
[1] Boesenkopf, B. (2022). Cleaning as a Path to Greater Well-being. Psychology Today. [2] Smith, J. (2021). The Psychology of Cleaning: Why a Tidy Home Can Improve Your Mood. The Guardian. [3] Johnson, M. (2020). The Link Between Clutter and Anxiety. Verywell Mind. [4] Kondo, M. (2014). The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Ten Speed Press. [5] Yim, S. (2019). The Psychology of Cleaning: Why It Makes Us Feel So Good. BBC Future.
- In the realms of health-and-wellness and personal-growth, science suggests that cleaning can provide numerous psychological benefits, such as reduced stress and increased well-being, due to factors like a sense of accomplishment and sensory grounding.
- Interestingly, the lifestyle of regular cleaning has implications beyond home-and-garden maintenance, extending into education-and-self-development, as neurobiologists have found that our brains release reward substances during cleaning activities, contributing to a sense of accomplishment and overall well-being.
- cleaning is not only beneficial for the physical environment, but it also plays a crucial role in mental-health, promoting a meditative state and reducing one's stress levels by helping to reconnect with the body and mind.
- Following the results of a comprehensive survey, it is evident that cleaning is not a source of conflict in German partnerships, with only 5% of those surveyed reporting regular cleaning as a cause of relationship issues, making it a non-threatening activity in terms of home-and-garden tasks and personal-growth.
