How Cleaning is Good for Your Health

If you’re home has gone beyond “lived in” and looks more like “keep out,” you probably have a clutter conundrum. And where there’s clutter, there’s dirt and debris—which can wreak havoc on your health. While the obvious benefit of having a clean home is having a clean home, there are other advantages of being neat and tidy.

Cleaning reduces stress.

There is no doubt that stress can trigger a host of health problems, including hypertension and obesity. And for many individuals, especially women, having an unclean house is a major source of stress. Likewise, having a home free of clutter can lower your body’s level of cortisol, the stress hormone. If you aren’t sure where to start, and can swing the average $100 to $200 cost for a one-time (or routine) cleaning, consider finding a professional housekeeping service to help.

Eliminating allergens from the home can keep your family healthy.

If your child has a perpetual case of the sniffles, it’s probably due to more than a simple cold. Dust mites, pet dander, and other debris that linger in the air can cause respiratory irritation. Further, dust mites—tiny insects that live in virtually every home with a humidity level of more than 50 percent—are a common cause of asthma in children. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology also calls out mold, pollen, and cockroaches as potential issues. Regular dusting, vacuuming, and washing linens can reduce dust and dust mites. You also need to be cognizant of the chemicals you use to clean your home. Even common and seemingly innocuous household cleaners are hazardous to your health if inhaled or ingested.

You’ll get a workout.

While nothing can replace intentional physical activity, such as working out or jogging, many everyday household chores can help you stay fit. Today illustrates how a day’s worth of chores, including cleaning the bathroom and grocery shopping, can help you burn 1,200 calories. If your home has stairs, you’re in luck—even if it doesn’t feel that way after a long day at work. According to the University of California Berkeley, walking up and down stairs is a great exercise that offers both aerobic and muscle-strengthening benefits.

A clean home is easier to maintain, meaning you’ll have more time for self-care.

Signature Maids estimates that the average American spends approximately one hour every day cleaning. While that might not sound like a lot, that’s seven hours each week you can devote to handling self-care tasks, such as exercising, sleeping, or simply relaxing and spending time with your family. But, once you get into a routine—and enlist everyone in your family to help—you can drastically reduce the amount of time you spend pushing a broom or putting away dishes. And keep in mind that making your bed, which you should do about an hour after you wake to allow time for moisture to evaporate, is a great way to get better sleep.

There is a lesser chance of injury.

If you’ve ever stepped on a LEGO or Barbie shoe in the middle of the night, you can no doubt see the benefits of keeping the floors clear. Keeping your home clean can absolutely help prevent injuries. Considering that the vast majority of emergency room visits by persons over the age of 65 are fall-related, it makes sense to get into a habit of keeping pathways clear.

It’s tough to find the motivation to clean, but it’s a chore worth making a priority. More than an inconvenience, cleaning is an investment of time in your overall health.

For more articles like this, check www.healthwellwise.com.

For additional reading: www.themostchic.com/staying-organized/

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