How cleaning affects well being.
Keeping things clean, whether at home or in your workplace, is important not only for the sake of clarity and organization, but it is also instrumental on your mental wellness. One study about the psychology of the home found that people who describe their homes as “cluttered” or teeming with “unfinished projects” were more likely to be fatigued and depressed. By comparison, people whose homes were described as “restful” and “restorative” had higher levels of happiness and mental well-being.
This evidence showcases the way that messy spaces can make it difficult to focus on particular tasks and achieve goals throughout the day. But by engaging in the ritual of cleaning, research shows that we feel more optimistic after failure, as tidying up can actually boost self-esteem and confidence. To some extent, the act of organization provides a physical signal to tell the brain that we have achieved success in being orderly, which will inevitably result in feelings of affirmation.