With our lives busier than ever: meetings all day, after-school activities, squeezing in a quick workout, and aspiring to end our day with a healthy, home-cooked meal, it can feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. Not to mention, the last thing you want to do is tackle the towering laundry pile or power through a sink full of dishes. But, intentionally setting aside time to organize and reset throughout the week can do wonders to your mental well-being and productivity, plus it may not be so bad after all.
In this guide, we will explore how taking smalls steps to clean up your surroundings can reduce anxiety, improve your mood, and ultimately boost your productivity.
1. Fold & Put Away Your Laundry:
We've all been there—the dreaded laundry pile accumulating in the corner of the room, waiting to be sorted. While it can be a site for sore eyes, intentionally setting aside time within a day or over two days, can make this task feel less daunting. Plus, breaking this into a smaller, timed task can make it easier to feel a sense of accomplishment. As Sherri Gordon wrote for Verywell Mind, "Research has found that cleaning can have a number of positive effects on your mental health. For instance it helps you gain a sense of control over your environment and engage your mind in a repetitive activity that can have a calming effect." Not only will the end result be a clear and calming space, you'll be off to a better start the next day. You might even find it more enjoyable and easier to pick out an outfit you adore.
2. Wash Your Dishes:
Oh no, the sink is full—yet again! It's okay, take a few breathes, you can do it! Shifting your mindset can make all the difference, use this as an opportunity to check-in with yourself after a long day or start your morning off with a few simple tasks to get you going on your to-do list for the day. As Atlassian put it "[w]hen we experience even small amounts of success, our brains release dopamine, which is connected to feelings of pleasure, learning and motivation." Again, if it helps, set a timer and go through the motions, the less you fight it you'll find value in the experience and feel good about making a healthy choice the next time you reach for a snack or your next meal.
3. Put Stuff Away:
Everything has its place, or we'd like to think so. Taking a few minutes each day to put away your jackets, keys, mail and more can make a significant difference. As Hidaya Aliouche shares, "[t]he absence of clutter can reduce the overstimulation produced by too many visual stimuli, enabling increased focus and the ability to concentrate." Creating designated drop zones for each item can also take the thinking out of these tasks and make them feel less intimidating. It will also give you a sense of control and order in your space, reducing your time spent searching for your stuff later.
4. Check in With Yourself:
While keeping your home tidy has its benefits, it can become an issue when your need to clean and stay organized turns into compulsion. If cleaning starts to impact your daily life or gets in the way of time with family, friends or even other activities and work, you may want to talk with a doctor or mental health professional for advice. There may be days when cleaning may not go according to plan, so you should allow flexibility and recognize it's okay to start over again the next day.
Taking small steps to incorporate simple organizational tasks into your daily routine can bring a sense of order and calmness in your mind, while boosting your productivity and well-being too. Next time you find yourself feeling lost in the chaos, take a moment to tidy up—you might be surprised at the positive changes it can bring you.
Sources
Gordon, Sherri. "The Connection Between Decluttering, Cleaning, and Mental Health." Verywell Mind, 23 April 2023, https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-5097496. Stress Management > Management Techniques.
Atlassian. "How checklists train your brain to be more productive and goal-oriented." Work Life, 23 April 2019, https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/the-psychology-of-checklists-why-setting-small-goals-motivates-us-to-accomplish-bigger-things. Productivity.
Aliouche, Hidaya. "Investigating the Link between Cleaning and Mental Health". News-Medical. 29 January 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Investigating-the-Link-between-Cleaning-and-Mental-Health.aspx>.
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