You know in a way that you need to keep your house clean. Perhaps you’ve got this from your parents, or maybe you just want to keep pace with your peers and show them that cleanliness matters to you. But how living in a messy house can impact your health? Actually, it does. There are some solid and scientifically proven health benefits of living in a clean house. Conversely, allowing your home to become a mess can take a heavy toll on your mental and physical well-being. These being said, are you ready for some action?
Sometimes, it only takes a tiny push to kick off some good habits. The following six health benefits of living in a clean home may be exactly what you need to grab that mop or that vacuum cleaner and put it to good use.
It Lowers Your Stress Levels
Visual clutter has a negative impact on your mind, as it generates mental clutter. You might think that you’re perfectly adapted to live among piles of stuff, but they are surely affecting you deeper than you can imagine. According to a 2010 study in a reputable publication, women living in messy homes have higher levels of cortisol than those who keep their houses tidy and clean. This means that your stress levels are directly related to your living space. Keeping tabs on your daily chores and getting your living space in order can help you manage stress. Wouldn’t we all be happy to benefit from such methods to reduce stress in our already hectic lives?
It Helps You Be More Active
It’s easy to see how cleaning gets you moving. You may not be able to burn as many calories cleaning your house as you’d burn during a strenuous HIIT workout, but you’ll surely get moving rather than resting on the couch. Cleaning will force you to move more. As a matter of fact, Health Magazine put together a list of 10 house cleaning activities that can help you burn 100 calories each.
It Helps You Be More Productive
When you need to do something you’re not too eager to start, do you ever find yourself seeking for a distraction? Living in a disorganized space creates lots of distraction opportunities, thus promoting procrastination. When everything is in order, on the contrary, your brain find it easier to focus and to get things done. Don’t you believe that your personal space influences your productivity? Take a closer look at this 2011 study on the impact of visual stimuli on your attention.
It Might Help You Make Better Eating Choices
Have you ever noticed how stress makes you crave unhealthy foods? This is your body’s natural reaction to stress. As we’ve already mentioned, clutter is a major source of stress. The good news is that cleaning up your house can make you less likely to crave junk food. According to a 2013 study published in Psychology Science, subjects working in an organized office were twice more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar than those who had been working in a cluttered space.
It Helps You Sleep Better
Don’t you find it easier to fall asleep when you don’t have any items left on your to-do list by bedtime? When your house is clean, you can go to bed with the peace of mind that there’s nothing left to do for the day. According to a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation proved that simply making your bed in the morning can improve your odds to get a good night’s sleep by about 20 percent.
It Prevents You From Getting Sick Too Often
A clean home doesn’t cater to various germs and bacteria. In addition, you won’t have to put up with dust buildups and allergens that may trigger allergy and asthma flare-ups. If you want to stay healthy, you have to clean your house on regular basis. Vacuuming and dusting are great, but don’t limit yourself to these actions. Dare to declutter your rooms. The more items you pile up everywhere, the more difficult it is to clean and sanitize all surfaces. A minimalist approach to interior design can help you maintain the cleanliness, also helping your health. If you’re ready to do some deep cleaning, check out these nine areas that are real germ magnets in your home.
Are these health benefits enticing you into doing some cleaning right away? We hope you’ll take better care of your home!