Why is a Clean House so Therapeutic?

Can a clean and well-organized house really bring you more happiness and internal stability throughout the week? While it’s unlikely that cleaning and organizing will ever be considered a reliable solution for mental health issues, the latest research does indicate that having a clean and organized home can bring some serious psychological benefits.

By removing extra clutter, dust, dirt, and debris from your home, you may be able to experience more than just physical health benefits like improved indoor air quality. At Merry Maids®, our cleaning experts can ensure that you’ll always enjoy the psychological benefits of a clean home – even when life throws new obstacles and challenges in your way.

What Are the Benefits of Organization?

Human beings strongly identify with our environments, and when our interior living spaces are cluttered with unwashed dishes, misplaced items, and garbage, it will eventually affect the way we see ourselves, too. While we’ve all observed this truth in action, a 2013 study published in Psychological Science has confirmed that order and disorder each have a measurable effect on our preferences, choices, and behavior.

According to the research, people in clean and orderly rooms were far more likely to choose healthy snacks, donate money to charity, and select options labeled as “classic” or “traditional.” By contrast, those in disorderly rooms experienced boosts in creativity and unconventional thinking but did not tend to choose more healthy or conscientious options for themselves.

In another study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, those who described their homes with positive words such as “restorative” or “restful” were less likely to be exhausted and stressed than those who described their homes as “cluttered.” Women were the most likely to be negatively impacted when they had “stressful home scores,” testing with higher levels of cortisol and increased depressed mood throughout the day.

Understanding the Psychology of House Cleaning

Even if you prefer to have a little chaos in your living environment, cleaning the house is still an essential part of home ownership and daily upkeep. Why is it so important for our psyches to have a clean house? While the explanations vary, some promising new research shows that having a clean house encourages us to seek new experiences and go out more often, all of which can be helpful in managing negative feelings.

According to a study performed at Indiana University, St. Louis residents reported higher levels of physical activity when they had a clean home. In fact, the researchers found that interior cleanliness was one of the primary predictors for physical activity, even when all other factors were taken into consideration.

Living in a clean environment can also boost your concentration and focus, according to a 2011 study published in The Journal of Neuroscience. This is because the brain processes clutter and debris as a distraction in an attempt to force you to correct the situation. Whether you realize it or not, your subconscious is using up mental resources to process the clutter in your home or work environment – and taking up valuable bandwidth for other tasks.

Live More Intentionally with Merry Maids®

As home cleaning experts with more than 40 years of experience, our team at Merry Maids® can give you a well-deserved break from the household chores, while also giving your brain a break from the negative effects of clutter. By creating a customized regular cleaning plan that covers all of your unique needs, we can ensure that your home remains spotless throughout the month, allowing you to focus on the things and activities that matter most.

Reap the positive benefits of a clean and organized home today! Call your local Merry Maids at (888) 490-4227 to request an estimate.