Welcome to part one of “Spring Clean Your Way to a Happier, Healthier Life” written by Deb Findlow from our Parkers Swindon office.
When looking to sell your property, clean and tidy houses tend to attract more money. Getting your home as clean as possible “is absolutely something of the greatest importance,” said Ginger Brokaw, at Town Residential, Manhattan. “It really does pay off. I’ve seen the response of people walking into a home that hasn’t been cleaned, or prepared for showings, and one that has.” The difference is “night and day”.
However, with the distribution of household chores being one of the major causes of fights in today’s family, it’s no wonder we often grumble whilst doing the dishes, or cleaning the bathroom, again! Even the word ‘chore’ means ‘tedious task’. It’s easy to see how we can become resentful about the burden of keeping a clean home.
Evidence suggests cleaning is good for our physical health, but could cleaning ever actually become a therapeutic and relaxing part of our daily lives?
A study from the Indiana University found a correlation between clean houses and healthy people. Researchers tracked physical health of participants by comparing levels of physical activity with the cleanliness of their homes. Those with the cleanest homes were also the healthiest and most active.
According to the EPA indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than the outdoors. If the average person spends up to 90 percent of their time indoors, we are breathing in dust, pet dander, mold, insect skeletons, and other toxins. These toxins manifest themselves as symptoms most people attribute to allergies, but which should actually be blamed on an unclean house.
Benefits of Keeping a Neat and Tidy Home…
1. Prevents Infection
When you clean, you get rid of microbes, viruses, fungi and mould capable of making you very sick.
When you clean, you get rid of microbes, viruses, fungi and mould capable of making you very sick.
2. Burns Calories
You can actually burn about 200 calories an hour while cleaning. Some of the top calorie-burning chores include vacuuming, washing and drying dishes, and scrubbing.
3. Lowers Stress Levels
The process of cleaning can relax you. According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, twenty minutes of cleaning activity reduces anxiety and stress by as much as 20 percent.
4. Helps Anger Management
Cleaning is also a productive way to get rid of anger and frustration. So, after a heated argument, or long day at work, why not reach for the vacuum and proactively release your anger.
5. Improves Concentration and Mental Health
A tidy house is a tidy mind. An unkempt home can be a distraction. Research shows you will be able to focus better on the task at hand when you’re not surrounded by clutter and mess. According to a 2008 study, cleaning and tidying your home can improve mental health and prevent depression.
6. Sense of Accomplishment
Cleaning tasks whether big, or small, are always fairly easy to complete. Cleaning has a clear and visible end product. This is very satisfying and usually makes you feel good about yourself.
Look out for part two of this post where Parkers Swindon’s Deb, will share her brilliant ways of how to take the bore out of chore and add an element of fun to the household tasks!
In the meantime, if you are dreaming of more than just a clean and tidy house and are in fact looking to move, contact your local Parkers branch today for help with your search!
