The Act of Cleaning Leads to Feelings of Happiness
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A new study conducted by Kärcher in collaboration with Austrian psychologist Brigitte Boésenkopf has found that regular cleaning can have significant benefits for mental well-being. The study, which polled 10,000 people in ten countries, reveals that cleaning can reduce stress and anxiety, promote mindfulness, enhance a sense of accomplishment, support emotional clarity and mental order, and provide a therapeutic routine.
The study highlights that cleaning can help people feel more in control of their environment, which can lower feelings of stress and anxiety. Engaging in cleaning tasks encourages focus on the present moment, promoting a state of mindfulness that can improve overall mood. Completing cleaning tasks provides a tangible sense of achievement, boosting self-esteem and motivation.
A clean and organized space can translate into clearer thinking and emotional balance, reducing mental clutter. The repetitive nature of cleaning can have calming, meditative effects, contributing to increased mental relaxation. Neurobiologists have found that our brains release reward substances when an activity is performed regularly, and cleaning is one such activity.
Brigitte Boésenkopf explains that the mindset during cleaning can affect its stress-relieving effects. If one views cleaning as a kind of pampering for their home, a different message is sent to the brain. Finishing tasks like tidying a messy room can give a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, especially if it's a routine. Smaller units of cleaning maintain the effect of stress relief and well-being, as suggested by earlier findings.
The survey did not specify the specific cleaning methods or frequency that led to the reported stress relief and well-being. However, it found that 45% of respondents spend about an hour a week on cleaning. Interestingly, only 5% of Germans surveyed said cleaning regularly leads to conflicts in their partnership. Cleaning seems to be stress-free and harmonious for most Germans.
The survey did not provide information on the demographics or locations of the respondents beyond stating they were from ten countries. However, it did reveal that 83% of Germans find the satisfaction of completing a task to be the greatest reward of cleaning.
In conclusion, regular cleaning is not just about hygiene but can also play an important role in supporting and improving mental health. The study suggests that adopting the right mindset during cleaning can enhance its stress-relieving effects, making it a path to greater well-being.
Science has shown that regular cleaning can contribute to health-and-wellness, as it reduces stress and anxiety, promotes mindfulness, and even provides a therapeutic routine. This mental-health boost can extend to fitness-and-exercise as well, as a clean environment can lead to clearer thinking and emotional balance, enabling better decision-making regarding fitness activities.
