Tidy home, tidy mind: why a clean space is important for your mental health

Whilst it can be difficult to get out of bed or have any energy when you’re struggling with a mental illness, cleaning can be a good way of gaining control over your environment. It allows you to see a visible improvement in your space, as well as offering a task that can be done in bursts, rather than all at once. 

Here, we take a look at exactly how cleaning can be beneficial to maintaining good mental health.

Clutter

For a lot of people, clutter can lead to a lack of concentration, as they get distracted by the environment around them. A study by researchers at Princeton University found that people with objects around them which were irrelevant to the task had an overload in their visual cortex, leading to a lack of concentration.

Being unable to focus when needed can then lead to feelings of irritability and stress. It can also induce a sense of a lack of control, both of which are unhelpful for those already struggling with spiralling thoughts.

However, it is important to remember that you should take care to avoid cleaning becoming a compulsion: whilst cleaning can be satisfying and will help you take control of your environment, creating a dependency on it is harmful. If you’re struggling to relax unless your surroundings are perfect, it might be time to consider if using cleaning as a method of destressing is still working for you. 

If you are worried about compulsivity but still want a clean space, it could be worth considering hiring a cleaner. You shouldn’t have to sign a contract with them, so you can book a one-off clean and assess if you need them the following week, or go back to doing it yourself.

Physical and mental health

If you’ve ever felt your arms ache after holding up a duster, or from pushing the hoover around, you’ll know that cleaning is definitely a physical exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in your body that trigger feelings of happiness. They also work with your pain receptors to dim your perception of pain.

Regular exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, as well as being beneficial for anxiety management. No matter what size your home is, there are places to clean. As well as dusting, try squatting when you put items away, lunging when you hoover or wash the floor, and using circular motions to wash plates for longer than you usually would. Adding music to your cleaning routine can be a great way of getting you moving.

Cleaning and the bedroom

Creating a tidy environment in your bedroom may also help you sleep better. As well as creating a visually calming environment, you should ensure that you air out the room so that it smells clean, and not musty. In addition to just smelling nicer, fresh air has been shown to be beneficial, because it contains more oxygen than stale air that has been trapped in the room. By doing this, you make sure that if you are spending time in bed, you’re helping your brain at the same time.

To sum up

Whilst cleaning might be the last thing you think of when it comes to mental health, they are actually closely linked. Creating a clean, safe space around you so that you can rest, whilst also getting your endorphins up through gentle exercise, can be a helpful way to support yourself at a challenging time.

5 Types Of Pests And How To Get Rid Of Them

Whether it's inside or outside, various types of bugs and other creatures or wildlife can become pests in a hurry. Unfortunately, once pests such as these decide to start hanging around your home or business, getting rid of them can be quite a challenge. If you are suffering a pest problem and want to send your unwanted guests packing, here are five common pests and how to get rid of them.

Termites

Termed the "silent destroyers" due to the damage they can do to your home without you ever realizing there is a problem, termites are pests that need to be removed immediately. To do so, you probably need to contact a professional pest exterminator who specializes in termite control. Also, you can use building materials that are already infused with pesticides, since these won't taste very good to termites.

Bed Bugs

When you go to sleep at night, trying not to let the bed bugs bite can be almost impossible if your home has an infestation of these pests. Commonly picked up by people when they are on vacation, you can bring these pests home in your suitcase or on almost anything else. Once you do, you'll likely need expert bed bug exterminators who use state-of-the-art heat treatments in various parts of your home to rid it of these pests. Afterward, you'll need to regularly wash and dry your bed linens in extremely hot temperatures, since bed bugs can't take the heat.

Mosquitos

Since mosquitos are equipped to detect the chemicals they love when you are outside sweating, you can soon have a major problem on your hands. Since they carry diseases, get rid of them by using citronella candles, using mosquito repellent, or calling on professional exterminators.

Rodents

Whether you've got rats, mice, or both, rodents need to be removed immediately. Carriers of many diseases, rodents can also damage your home by chewing on wood and electrical cords. To get rid of them, set up traps inside and outside your home, get rid of clutter, and call a professional pest control specialist.

Geese

While Geese are a striking sight when in flight, they can become nuisances when they take up residence in your yard or elsewhere. As for how to get rid of them, calling on professionals such as Goose Masters can make quite a difference. Using specially-trained Border Collies that are guided by experienced handlers, you can have a goose-free home or business in no time.

By being proactive and knowing what to do in your war against pests, you can prevail much faster than you imagined.

Guest Post - Are Foundations Waterproof? What to Do After a Flood

Have you been flooded recently? Flooding can cause serious damage to your foundation, and it's important to deal with the aftermath as soon as possible to minimize your risk of future problems. Use these tips to repair your home after flooding and ensure your home's safety and stability long-term.

Are Foundations Waterproof?

After a flood, many homes are damaged by the water. If your foundation was affected, call on a professional to help you with repairs or restoration. While foundations often seem waterproof on their own, flooding can cause substantial damage. In some cases, professional foundation repair is required to prevent further damage and to ensure your home’s safety in future floods.

Seek Immediate Professional Help

After a flood, it's important to seek help immediately. Flooding can cause serious damage if your home is affected. Call your insurance company and contractor immediately, then contact friends or family who live outside of flood zones to ask for temporary shelter.

Decide If Major Repairs Are Needed or If Rebuilding is Better

If there is severe damage and your foundation needs major repairs, a contractor will need to examine your home and determine if it needs to be completely rebuilt. If it has flooded more than once, you may have a harder time selling your home in a seller’s market, so you may want to consider rebuilding instead of repairing it. In any case, contact a local foundation company with experience in these matters before proceeding.

Remove All Water From the Property

An important first step after a flood is to remove all standing water. When you do that, you prevent mold and mildew from growing. If there’s any standing water on your property, mop it up with sponges or towels. Be careful not to use your bare hands as bacteria can become trapped under your fingernails. For any areas where there is still standing water on surfaces like wood floors or countertops, carefully pour buckets of clean water over those spots until they are completely dry.

Determine What is Wasting Away

The next step after a flood is to figure out what is damaged beyond repair. After a flood, go through each room of your home and mark items that are damaged or that you can't use anymore. These items should be discarded or repaired if possible to avoid having unnecessary clutter in your home after repairs have been made.

Flooding can wreak havoc on your home, damaging everything from your walls to your basement to the foundation of your house itself. Use this guide to fix your home's foundation after flooding.

About the Author

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. She recommends Atlas Master Co when it comes to foundation repair.

The Pros of a Xeriscaped Garden

Xeriscaping is all about selecting the right plants that can thrive in your landscape with very little water. This method of gardening continues to grow more and more popular as people discover its benefits.

Xeriscaping originates from the 1980's when people employed this landscaping technique to survive ongoing droughts across the Western U.S. 

In Latin, the word ‘xero’ means dry and ‘scape’ refers to a view or landscape. People have been planting specific plants to match their climate since the beginning of time. Explore the different xeriscape garden design ideas to create the perfect garden:

The Benefits of Xeriscaping 

These include:

• The first and most obvious pro of xeriscaping is that it helps conserve water

• In addition, as compared to traditional gardening, xeriscaping helps cut down annual costs and labor required 

• Most xeriscape designs help you highlight native plants that can thrive in your garden with minimal care

• Plants in a xeriscape garden require little to no fertilizers. Once established, these plants will do well on their own 

The Top 2 Xeriscape Garden Designs 

Here’s how you can create an attractive yet conscious garden: 

Pine Bark Mulch 

Mulch is an effective way of conserving moisture, as well as reducing weed growth. Some mulches contain pesticides, chemical dyes, and herbicides that, in the long run, can harm wildlife and soil ecology.  

On the flip side, natural mulch like cedar or pine bark is a great way to keep insects away and enrich your soil. 

Lawn Alternatives

Green lawn maintenance requires a lot of water. This is why areas prone to ongoing seasons of drought hesitate to create a lawn landscape. 

Invest in lawn alternatives like walkways with gravel, small patio areas with pavers, or Zen gardens with planters, sand, and stones. You may even create ‘carpeted’ areas with low, soft ground covers like sweet woodruff, creeping thyme, or low growing sedum.

In the infographic below by HomeCity, we take a closer look at the best, most stunning xeriscape design ideas. Share your journey towards creating a xeriscape garden in your real estate in Texas to connect with like minded people.