Here's how tidying up can boost your overall happiness
Regular Cleaning Offers Psychological Benefits and Reduces Stress
Regular cleaning is more than just maintaining a tidy home – it can also have a profound impact on our mental health. Neurobiologists have found that our brains release reward substances when an activity is performed regularly, including cleaning [1]. This discovery, combined with a recent survey, suggests that cleaning can be a path to greater well-being.
The survey, commissioned by the company Kärcher and polling 10,000 people in ten countries, revealed some interesting findings about the psychological benefits of cleaning. In Germany, for instance, only 5% of respondents reported that the topic of cleaning regularly leads to conflicts in their relationship [2]. On the contrary, 83% of Germans find the satisfaction of completing a task to be the greatest reward in cleaning, with 73% feeling more motivated and energized in a clean home [2].
Cleaning can even lead to a meditative state, according to Austrian psychologist Brigitte Boesenkopf. When we focus on the rhythm of our motions and the sensory experiences during cleaning, it can help reduce mental noise and promote mindfulness [1][2]. Boesenkopf also recommends dividing cleaning into two smaller units during the week to experience the feeling of accomplishment more often [3].
The survey results also highlighted the stress-reducing effects of cleaning. In a clean environment, people tend to report lower stress and depression levels [1][3]. Cleaning is a tangible action people can manage when life feels uncontrollable, restoring a sense of agency [1]. Completing tasks like tidying up a messy room can give a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, especially if it's a routine [1].
Moreover, sensory cues from cleaning (like the smell of soap or the sound of a broom) can ground the mind and reduce mental spirals [1]. Visual clutter contributes to cognitive overload, while organized spaces improve focus and reduce distraction [1][3]. Engaging in cleaning tasks acts as behavioral activation, improving mood and fostering optimism [2].
Decluttering can enhance sleep quality and well-being by creating a more comfortable and safe environment [3]. By reframing cleaning as a mindful, empowering activity and structuring it thoughtfully, individuals can transform it from a chore into a tool for emotional well-being and greater harmony in the home environment.
However, it's important to approach cleaning with the right attitude to reap these benefits. Boesenkopf emphasizes that if one sees cleaning as a kind of pampering program for their home, it can send a different message to the brain [2]. To make cleaning more stress-free and harmonious, consider breaking tasks into small achievable steps, maintaining a baseline with regular cleaning or cleaning services, creating a system that works for you, aligning cleaning with cultural or personal meaning, and seeking professional help if clutter feels unmanageable [2][3].
References: [1] Boesenkopf, B. (2021). Cleaning as Meditation: The Psychology of Housework. Psychology Today. [2] Kärcher (2021). Cleaning for Well-being: The Psychological Benefits of a Tidy Home. Kärcher Press Release. [3] Yim, S. (2019). The Mental Health Benefits of Cleaning and Decluttering. Verywell Mind.
Engaging in regular cleaning can offer psychological benefits, such as boosting mental health and promoting mindfulness, as neurobiologists have found that our brains release reward substances in response to routine activities like cleaning. Additionally, cleaning can contribute to better health-and-wellness by reducing stress levels, improving mental focus, and even enhancing sleep quality, according to psychologists and research studies.
