Phew! Housework wars …who’s cleaning up the lockdown mess?
As governments around the world told citizens to stay at home to stop the spread of Covid-19, most of us are working remotely. More bodies at home means more mess … and more housework! Despite the gloom, there are some flickers of hope for our health as cleaning agents are flying off the shelves due to increased demand.
Keeping our homes clean and sanitised is more important than ever before. Fact is, a clean home leaves fewer places for germs and bacteria to hide. And, according to experts, fewer people fall sick in clean homes. Make’s sense, right? Therefore, dividing chores among family members to keep it clean, is crucial.
It’s no secret that the Coronavirus and lockdown are causing a mental health crises. The good news is that there are some major scientifically backed health benefits involved when cleaning your house. A potentially fit body? For sure, tidying might not torch as many calories as a full-blown HIIT workout, but it’s a lot more physical than sitting on the couch! Studies also claim that the predictability of cleaning offers a sense of control in the face of uncertainty, thereby calming mind and soul.
So, what are the true benefits once you tackle the job?
- It will eliminate stress. Leading psychological research has correlated clutter with stress and anxiety. A clean house will foster calm. A messy home will subconsciously remind you of work that needs to be finished causing stress and increasing your risk of illness. The outside world is so chaotic right now, why should you want to replicate that chaos in your home?
- You’ll be more productive. Visual stimuli compete for your attention. Disorganisation makes it easy to spot something you can use to procrastinate. When everything is in order on the other hand, your mind finds it easier to get things done.
- It will give you a sense of accomplishment. Knowing that you’ve ticked a few things off you to-do list will give you a huge boost of energy.
- It supports charitable living. What you do for others will make you feel good. By purging your home you have the opportunity to give to someone in need.
- Your relationships will improve. When we’re surrounded by clutter, we become irritable and frustrated. Snapping at a family member over missing car keys can lead to damaging relationships.
- You might eat healthier. Have you noticed that when you’re feeling stressed, you crave junk food? A 2013 study published in Psychology Science stated that people who had been working in an organized space were twice more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar.
- A clean bedroom means better sleep. Studies show that our environment not only affects how fast we fall asleep, but how soundly we sleep. Inadequate sleep causes irritability and stress.
It’s clear that cleaning goes far beyond the visual appearance and aesthetics. Your home is your sanctuary, now more than ever.
Happy cleaning everyone!
Source: healthysleep.med.harvard.edu, maids.com, bondcleaninginadelaide.com.au, forbes.com, freshome.com, rent.com.au, economictimes.indiatimes.com, ahchealthenews.com, ft.com, louisianafcu.org, thelegraph.co.uk
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
