Improve Your Health by Cleaning
By Paul Rothbart
A clean, well-organized house makes life easier. Being able to find things easily in their usual places saves time and aggravation. A clean living space looks much nicer and just feels better. But cleaning can also have a positive impact on both physical and mental health. Here are some ways that cleaning and straightening can improve your health.
Better Respiratory Health
Dust will always gather on unclean surfaces. That's a guarantee. If you have pets, their dander will add to the dust. These small particles get into the air and are inhaled. Allergens in the environment are a leading cause of asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Mold and mildew are also common in dirty rooms. Air filled with all of these particles makes breathing difficult and is not healthy. Maintaining a clean home will greatly minimize the number of particles in the air and improve respiratory health.
Less Risk of a Fall
A fall can cause serious injury and is especially dangerous for older adults. Each year, 1 in 3 senior citizens is injured in a fall at home. Keeping floors clean, dry, and free of clutter will greatly reduce the risk of a fall. Avoid using area rugs. They are far too easy to trip over. Likewise with runners. The floors should be smooth, flat surfaces for optimum safety.
Better Concentration
A cluttered environment makes focus difficult. This is especially important to those who work from home. A study conducted in 2011 using MRIs to track brain response found that clutter can limit the processing capacity of the brain. Storing supplies and needed items out of sight is a good step toward decluttering. Cutting back also helps tremendously. Get rid of items you don't need and never use. A well-organized environment makes it much easier to concentrate and accomplish tasks and goals.
Benefits of Organization
Having things you use on a regular basis neatly organized pays several dividends to health. Not having to frantically search for the one thing you need immediately reduces stress and anxiety and can help you sleep better. Productivity increases and you may have time to work on other projects and hobbies. Less stress is better for relationships. Find an organization system that works best for you and your lifestyle. The rewards are many.
Cleaning and organizing your living and work space makes everything easier. It will also improve your health, both physically and mentally. If you're going to take care of your body, take care of where it resides as well.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in North Hollywood, Calif.