Cleaning can be a good work out physically, but getting some exercise isn’t the only benefit…
Do you know about the positive side-effects of cleaning your house? Or do you see keeping your house clean as a vicious cycle that never ends?
Check out how multi-tasking a “work-out” with cleaning your house can be a practical, constructive, and valuable cycle that produces numerous positive side-effects. Reducing stress and increasing energy are just the beginning!
Cleaning - a Good Work-Out!
Work out frustrations, problems, anger
Work out dilemmas, puzzles
Work out your body, mind, and spirit
Work out your way
Work out frustrations – redirect your energy to something productive, like cleaning your kitchen. Or fluff those pillows with zeal (enthusiasm, intensity, passion)!
Work out problems – reflect, get to the root, think through, brainstorm for solutions while you clean your bathroom.
Work out dilemmas, puzzles – analyze, ponder, solve as you vacuum your living room.
Work out anger – rant, reason, resolve… Redirect all the negative energy to a positive result as you dust, clean, scrub, wipe, wash, sweep and mop. Even if it takes more than one room for your anger to subside, stop at the doorway of each room as you leave. Take a deep breath, turn around, and look at how much you’ve accomplished. Allow yourself to smile… Congratulate yourself for all the work you’ve done and enjoy the improvement.
Work out your body – get moving - any physical activity or exercise is good… dance with your mop or vacuum cleaner!
Work out your mind – listen to podcasts or ebooks, memorize, study…
Work out your spirit – practice gratitude, pray, ponder, affirm, sing, dance, “whistle while you work”, and count your blessings…
Cleaning and other Household Chores Can Reduce Risk of Heart Disease by 20%
In Household Chores May be Secret to Living Longer, “Researchers discovered that people enjoyed the same health benefits whether going to the gym, walking to work or doing household chores.” One of the benefits they listed is reducing the risk of heart disease by 20%! These health benefits are based on “performing 30 minutes of any kind of physical activity five days a week.” And, you can break down the 30 minutes over the course of your day. Exercise can also help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.
12 Jobs to Do Around the House Instead of Going to the Gym gives examples of the calories you burn doing household tasks.
In a study of 1000 participants, Wren Kitchens found that “your household chores could help you burn a staggering 20,000 calories” each month! For the breakdown of average time spent on various cleaning tasks, along with calories used, see Revealed: The number of calories household chores burn.
Improve Your Mood, Memory, and Self-Esteem
Cleaning and exercise are good for mental health too. Experts agree that completing any challenge or goal can increase your self-confidence and boost self-esteem. An article by the Mayo Clinic reveals that “physical activity can definitely ease symptoms of depression or anxiety and make you feel better.” They recommend 30 minutes a day for 3-5 days per week, but state that even 10-15 minutes can make a difference.
In How Exercise affects the Brain, a cell biology and physiology professor found that exercise feeds the brain, increasing brain functions such as improved memory capacity and lowering the impact of stress.
House Cleaning Can be Fun!
Playing upbeat music while you clean is one way to enjoy it more. The music can also help you get into a rhythm which can make cleaning more effective.
You can make cleaning a game. Set a timer and see how many things you can pick up and put away before it goes off. Get your roommates and family members involved. Have races to see who can make their bed the fastest. Or have a special treat for completing tasks or cleaning checklists or for who can play the best air guitar with a broom.
More Beneficial Side-Effects of Cleaning…
On top of all these “work-out” benefits, your house is now clean, which provides even more health benefits to you and your family! See additional physical and mental health benefits of keeping your house clean in our post House Cleaning Pro Tip: A Little Cleaning Here and There Adds UP to A Lot of Happy!
You'll also find a link there to a printable download for a daily cleaning routine. Although the daily checklist may only take you 10-15 minutes a day, most of it should count as physical activity for your “cleaning work-out”.
Work Out Your Way!
Even though house cleaning provides all these positive side-effects, you still might be someone who loves to exercise. Maybe you’d rather do your work-out at the gym, or walk in the sand on the beach, or go hiking in the mountains instead of cleaning.
If so, Caravel Cleaning Company can help you free up some time to do the things that you enjoy. Our recurring maintenance cleans are arranged to work with your schedule. Most of our clients prefer weekly cleans, but bi-weekly or other arrangements can be made.
Just call 805-804-5454 or request an estimate from the Cleaning Crew at Caravel Cleaning Company in Oxnard, CA.
All of Caravel's cleaning services are 100% satisfaction guaranteed!
Watch for more house cleaning tips & tricks from the Cleaning Crew at Caravel Cleaning Company - We can't wait to Help You Keep Your Home Shipshape!
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