Science Proves A Clean House Actually Makes You Happier

I’ve always felt that urge to keep my space neat and tidy but until recently didn’t fully understand the link between a clean house and depression.  It’s not for your friends…it’s not for the health of your family.  No, the reason is a lot more instinctive and necessary than you think.

I’ve always been a “neat freak” as my friends have lovingly called it over the years.  My college roommates celebrated my fastidious ability to clean and keep things tidy in ever confining spaces.  

My husband was relieved to realize that I was even neater than him…that our floors would always be vacuumed.  That the bathrooms would always be clean.  That the fridge would never have that sticky grime on the handle that makes everyone wonder…who in heaven’s name touched that thing?

For some of my favorite ways to keep your hardwood clean, click here. 

A CLEAN HOUSE AND KIDS??

Upon having kids, I was actually a little nervous that some of my housekeeping tendencies would fall by the wayside what with pulling all-nighters (and not the fun kind) and having a kid attached to a boob for 80% of my day.

And yet…while I became a lot more loose with the idea of “clean” and “neat” my old tendencies found a way to wriggle out of my sleep deprived body and make themselves known.

My floors were still swept.  My dishwasher was still unpacked.  Counters were clear.  Toilets were clean.  

WHAT WAS GOING ON??

What was going on?  Sure I could say it was “in me” and to some extent I would agree.

And then, just yesterday I found this amazing article that showed how science has proven a direct connection with a clean house and a lower risk of depression.

Here is an excerpt from the article “The Link Between Clutter And Depression”

“It turns out that clutter has a profound affect on our mood and self-esteem. CELF’s anthropologists, social scientists, and archaeologists found:

• A link between high cortisol (stress hormone) levels in female home owners and a high density of household objects.The more stuff, the more stress women feel. Men, on the other hand, don’t seem bothered by mess, which accounts for tensions between tidy wives and their clutter bug hubbies.
• Women associate a tidy home with a happy and successful family. The more dishes that pile up in the sink, the more anxious women feel.
• Even families that want to reduce clutter often are emotionally paralyzed when it comes to sorting and pitching objects. They either can’t break sentimental attachments to objects or believe their things have hidden monetary value.
• Although U.S. consumers bear only 3% of the world’s children, we buy 40% of the world’s toys.And these toys live in every room, fighting for display space with kids’ trophies, artwork, and snapshots of their last soccer game.”

What I found so amazing about this article is that it put into words the way I feel when my house is NOT clean.  And the way I would bet many of you feel as well if you are completely honest.

I know there are all kinds of cute Facebook memes that say something to the effect of a clean house is the sign of a life unfulfilled.

But I, and this article, would beg to differ.  

Our bodies and minds actually thrive off organization and order, no matter if you are Type A or Type B.

Now for some that may mean every speck of dust be vacuumed and cleaned.  And for others, like me, that might mean all the clothes are picked up off the floor, the potties are clean and the floors are vacuumed.

But they key here is that once YOU feel your house is clean and organized, there will be a CORRESPONDING level of happiness and a DECREASED chance of depression.

Not sure about you but that gives me good reason to sweep the kitchen before I fall asleep tonight. zzzzzz

You can find the full article here: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/cleaning-decluttering/clutter-depression/

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