Let’s face it: most of us don’t actually enjoy cleaning. In this day and age, we barely find ten minutes to catch our breath between so many tasks – and cleaning doesn’t really help much… or does it?
When we clean, we tend to be in the moment and focused on the task at hand. This simple habit can help us forget about worries and other things.
Cleaning also makes us use our senses, like touch, sight, and smell, which can help us be more aware of and grateful for the present moment. Also, cleaning can help you feel more in charge of our lives and more organized, which can boost our confidence and self-esteem. Seems a bit better when you say it like that, right?
Cleaning can be relaxing and grounding because it involves doing the same thing over and over again. This helps us connect with our breath and become more aware of our thoughts and feelings.
Cleaning can help us practice acceptance and let go of trying to be perfect if we do it with an open mind. This lets us focus on the process rather than the result. In the end, cleaning can be a powerful way to become more mindful and improve our overall health.
The Physical Benefits of Cleaning
Cleaning has a lot of physical benefits that can be good for our health and well-being as a whole. Some of the most important ones are:
- Better health and hygiene: I know it seems obvious, but many of us often forget to be grateful for a germ-free or virus-free space to live in;
- Less stress and anxiety: Cleaning can give you a sense of accomplishment and control, which can help lessen stress and anxiety;
- Burning extra calories: this habit is a great form of workout that gives you more energy and makes you more productive. Once I watched a show proving that men who cleaned their home burned just as many calories as those who went to the gym!
Cleaning can also help make a place neater and more organized, which can boost productivity by getting rid of distractions and letting you think more clearly.
The Mindful Aspects of Cleaning
Put simply, cleaning helps us stay present and aware in our everyday lives. But how can you get into that mindset? Some of the most important things to remember when cleaning are:
- Presence in the Moment: Cleaning requires our full attention and focus, which brings our minds into the present moment. Yes, this means you should start looking, feeling and smelling that sponge when rubbing your kitchen sink;
- Acceptance: Cleaning can help you learn to accept what is and let go of trying to be perfect. Instead of focusing on the end result, we can pay attention to the process and accept the moment as it is. This can help to relieve stress and make you feel happier.
- Mindful Observation: Cleaning can be a chance to look inward and think about yourself. When you pay more attention to our thoughts and feelings, you get to discover who you really are. This can help you stop talking badly to yourself and feel better about yourself.
SPECIAL NOTE: you can improve the mindful parts of cleaning by setting an intention for the task, using all of your senses, and being grateful for the process and the results. When you use these techniques, you’ll be surprised by the amazing long-term results!
Psst! This guide might help you!
How Can You Incorporate Mindfulness into Cleaning?
Using mindfulness when we clean can help us be more aware and present in our daily lives and improve our overall health. Here are some ways to be more mindful when you clean:
Set an intention for the task
To bring mindfulness into cleaning, start by setting an intention for the task. Take a moment to think about why you’re cleaning and what you want to get out of it. This can help give the task more focus and meaning and make you feel more satisfied and like you’ve done a good job. You can tell yourself something like, “I’m cleaning to make a calm and organized space” or “I’m cleaning to let go of stress and find inner peace.”
Use all of your senses
To get better at being mindful, use all of your senses while you clean. Pay attention to how the cleaning tools and materials feel and sound, as well as how they smell and how your movements sound. By using your senses, you can become more aware of the present moment and make cleaning more immersive and meditative.
Show gratitude for the process
Cleaning can be a chance to show gratitude and enjoy the present. Instead of focusing on the end result or goal, take a moment to enjoy the cleaning process and how it changes your environment. Recognize the good things in your life, like a clean and well-organized home, and be thankful for them. Practicing gratitude can help you feel happier and improve your overall health.
Pay attention to what you’re doing
When you’re cleaning, try to pay attention to what you’re doing and avoid getting sidetracked. You can be more mindful and feel more present in the moment by giving your full attention to the task at hand. If your mind starts to wander, just notice it and bring your attention back to the task at hand.
Give up trying to be perfect
Cleaning can be a chance to give up trying to be perfect and practice acceptance. Yeah, that hardware may never look better than it does now – and that’s okay! Focus on the process and let go of the need for a perfect result instead of trying to be perfect. By accepting the way things are, you can lower your stress and feel more peaceful and happy.
By using these tips when you clean, you can bring more mindfulness into your daily life, improve your overall health, and make your environment more peaceful and harmonious.
Next read: 10 Mindful Ways to Have Better Sleep
Conclusion
The combination of cleaning and being mindful is good for our physical and mental health in many ways. By cleaning with mindfulness, we can be more aware and present in our daily lives, improve our overall health, and make the world a more peaceful and harmonious place.
When we give our full attention to cleaning, we can let go of distractions and focus on the present. Honestly, it’s THAT simple! Also, if we use all of our senses and show gratitude for both the process and the results, we can feel happier and more satisfied.
Trust me, cleaning will also help you get rid of physical and mental clutter, which can help you focus, be more productive, and feel like you’ve accomplished something. By focusing on the task at hand and letting go of trying to be perfect, you’ll learn to accept things as they are and feel more at peace.
In the end, making cleaning a regular mindfulness practice can help our physical and mental health in many ways and improve our overall well-being. By cleaning with mindfulness, we can make the environment more peaceful and harmonious, reduce stress, and feel more good feelings. So why not make cleaning a regular practice of mindfulness and see how it helps you?
