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healthcentral.com
article
https://www.healthcentral.com/mental-health/benefits-of-cleaning
# How And Why Cleaning Can Improve Your Mental Health
If you’re stressed or anxious, doing household chores like organizing drawers, washing dishes, or mopping floors, can boost your mood and reduce your anxiety. Here's a look at the connection and some expert advice to help you get started if you're feeling stuck.
By
Nancy Josephson Liff
(Image: iStock) [...] Research suggests that cleaning—or a lack of it—may be linked often linked to mental health. On the one hand, doing household chores can serve as a productive distraction—a way to take your mind off of pressing concerns—and at least temporarily help you stop worrying about problems you can’t control. On the other hand, unmade beds, a sink full of dirty dishes, even cluttered and disorganized countertops and cabinets, may simply suggest you’re super-busy. But they can also signal mental [...] Washing dishes, mopping floors, and yes, ironing can be calming—especially when conducted in a mindful way.
A 2015 study conducted by student and faculty researchers at Florida State University found that mindful student dishwashers—those who focused on the smell of the soap, the warmth of the water, and the feel of the dishes—experienced a 27% decrease in nervousness and a 25% hike in mental inspiration, while the control group received no benefits.³
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weforum.org
article
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/12/housework-linked-to-sharper-memory-in…
# How housework can improve our mental and physical health
a pile of washing
Some experts argue that doing the household chores could contribute to healthy ageing. Image: UNSPLASH/Annie Spratt
##### Neuroscience News
Housework is linked to sharper memory, attention span, and better leg strength, and by extension, greater protection against falls, in older adults, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. [...] Given that housework involves physical activity and is an indicator of the ability to live independently, the researchers wanted to explore whether doing the household chores might contribute to healthy aging and boost physical and mental capacity among older adults in a wealthy country. [...] This is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause, they caution, adding that the study relied on subjective reporting of physical activity levels and the volume and intensity of household chores.
But they point to previous research indicating a link between aerobic exercise and improved cognitive function, so the sharper mental agility associated with housework might occur through similar mechanisms, they suggest.
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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10242587
Beneficial effects of household activities have also been found for mental health. Household physical activities, such as gardening and heavy housework, seem to benefit older adults’ mental health, particularly in reducing fatigue . A recent study showed that greater engagement in household physical activity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic . In addition to mental health benefits stemming from its physical activity component, housework may also enable a [...] Mental health was also found to partially mediate the relationship between housework and survival. As mentioned above, engaging in housework may increase individuals’ levels of physical activity, and physical activity in turn has been found to have a protective effect on mental health. A recent review synthesizing studies on older adults in South and Southeast Asia has found that greater engagement in physical activities is associated with lower depression risk and better sleep quality . [...] The results showed a positive association between housework engagement and days survived after controlling for demographic variables (age, sex, education, marital status, subjective social status, and living alone). Physical health and mental health, but not cognitive functioning, partially mediated the relationship between housework engagement and days survived. The findings suggest that doing housework may contribute to longer survival by improving older adults’ physical and mental health.
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onecentralhealth.com.au
article
https://www.onecentralhealth.com.au/blog/the-importance-of-kids-doing-chores
Clinically, a sense of control over one’s environment is linked to improved mental health outcomes. When children are given meaningful responsibilities, they experience a sense of agency—feeling that they can influence their surroundings. This is especially beneficial in reducing symptoms of anxiety, where children may otherwise feel powerless or overwhelmed.
Children who contribute to their home develop a stronger sense of agency—the belief that their actions have an impact. [...] Chores are more than just tasks—they are a practical, everyday intervention that supports:
Cognitive development (executive functioning)
Emotional wellbeing (regulation, resilience)
Behavioural stability (routine, responsibility)
Social development (connection, teamwork)
When children participate in chores consistently and with support, they build skills that directly contribute to long-term mental health and independence. [...] In many households, chores are often seen as a simple way to keep things tidy—but their value goes far beyond a clean kitchen or a made bed. Giving children regular responsibilities at home plays a powerful role in their development, shaping not just practical skills, but also emotional wellbeing, cognitive growth, and long-term mental health outcomes.
## Building Responsibility and Accountability
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psychologytoday.com
article
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/202208/8-surprising-psych…
5. Chores are good for your mental health.
Completing chores increases your sense of "self-efficacy," defined briefly as a person's belief that they have the ability and skills to reach their goals. [...] Here’s what recent research tells us about the value of ordinary household tasks:
1. Chores can lead to creative problem-solving.
As researchers state here in a study entitled, "Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation," doing undemanding tasks allows the mind to wander where it will. Your mind gets a break and allows you to consider old problems with new eyes. In fact, undemanding tasks stimulated more creative ideas than demanding tasks or just resting. [...] A Clear Sign of Stress Is When You Stop Acting Like Yourself
6. Chores are good for children's mental health.
Learning to do chores teaches children necessary housekeeping skills and provides "mastery experiences" that increase confidence.
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foundationsft.com
article
https://foundationsft.com/cleaning
The British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that only twenty minutes of physical activity was enough to decrease stress levels! Over 3,000 people surveyed reported that regular housework was enough to decrease anxiety and stress levels. While cleaning isn’t a cure-all, that percentage can really help boost your energy and calm your nerves. [...] If you dread cleaning, there’s actually a bright side according to psychological research. A recent study discovered that cleaning up messes actually can have a positive impact on your mental health and happiness.
So, if you want to destress, pick up your broom! Here’s why…
### Spring Cleaning For Your Mind [...] Many of us try to do our best to keep up with household chores and cleaning. But, no matter how hard we try, it seems like clutter always finds a way to creep back in our lives. Between work, after-school activities, playdates and everything in between, it’s easy to understand how clutter can sneak back in so easily.
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mhanational.org
article
https://mhanational.org/resources/creating-a-healthy-home-environment
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# Creating a healthy home environment
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Optimizing your space to improve your mental health is something that anyone can benefit from. For those living with mental health conditions, it is one tool of many that can be used to improve and support your mental well-being.
## Practice tidiness [...] A big part of a mentally healthy living situation is feeling like your space gives you comfort, support, and calming energy. This could look like keeping comfort items around. Your favorite blanket, a meaningful gift, or a candle in your favorite scent can go a long way in helping you feel more at home. Your home can also impact your mental health based on colors, natural light, and set-up. Appropriate light, furnishing textures and patterns, and room organization can help reduce signs of [...] Keeping your living space clean is shown to promote calmness and a sense of control over your day-to-day life. Your home environment doesn’t need to be spotless, but clutter can be harmful to your mental state – contributing to depression, trouble focusing, confusion, and stress. Not only can clutter be distracting, but it has been shown to actually make it harder for your brain to think clearly. Neatness also provides predictability, which can cut down on brain fatigue and anxiety. Less time
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facebook.com
news
https://www.facebook.com/adultdownsyndromecenter/posts/looking-for-a-way-to-b…
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Graphic with text: Health benefits of chores. Doing chores is a way to add more movement into the day, helps increase responsibility and independence, may reduce stress, and provides opportunities to practice a variety of skills (e.g., memory, planning, organizing).
Logo: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center [...] ❤️ [...] ♥️