BERLIN. Cleaning might feel like a chore, but for many Germans, it’s a surprisingly effective stress reliever. A recent survey found that 80 percent of people in Germany feel more balanced and clear-headed after tidying up, with 73 percent reporting feeling more motivated and energetic. This sentiment holds true across ten countries where 10,000 people were interviewed for the study.
Conception and pregnancy
Austrian psychologist Brigitte Bösenkopf suggests that the activity itself can be a powerful stress killer, especially if your mindset is right. She notes that viewing cleaning as a way to nurture your home, rather than a duty, sends a different message to your brain: “We don’t have to, we want.” This shift can pave the way for stress-reducing effects, as cleaning often fosters a meditative state, allowing your thoughts to focus on the task at hand.
Break it Down for Better Results
The survey revealed that for 83 percent of Germans, a major reward of cleaning is the good feeling it brings. Accomplishing tasks, like tackling a messy space, provides a sense of fulfillment. This is particularly true for routine activities. “Neurobiologists have found that our brain releases reward substances when an activity is carried out regularly,” Bösenkopf explains, highlighting that cleaning fits this pattern.
Fraunhofer Institute gives recommendations for adjustments
About 45 percent of respondents spend roughly an hour cleaning each week. Bösenkopf suggests breaking this into two shorter sessions during the week rather than a single large block on the weekend. “This way you often experience the feeling that you have performed a performance,” she advises. Overall, cleaning appears to be a peaceful activity for most; only five percent of those surveyed in Germany reported that it regularly causes conflict in their partnerships.
