Monks spend a lot of time cleaning and tidying. PHOTO by Pixabay
It’s spring cleaning season, and for some people that can mean chore or anxiety.
But experts, from Zen monks to psychologists, say manual tasks like sweeping, mopping or tidying up have mental health benefits.
These tasks can let the mind wander freely while providing a tangible sense of fulfillment by accomplishing everyday activities.
Holly Schiff, a clinical psychologist in Greenwich, Connecticut, confirms that the cleaning process it can be calming and almost meditative.
“Repetitive, physical activities like cleaning can regulate the nervous system because they are predictable, structured, and provide a clear sense of completion,” explains Schiff.
This gives people a sense of control and stability.
What’s more, the result is immediately visible, “and that can be satisfying in a way that many cognitive or emotional tasks are not,” says the psychologist.
Zen disciples, or “anointed” monks, spend a lot of time cleaning and tidying.
“We sweep the dust to remove worldly desires. We clean the dirt to free ourselves from attachments,” wrote Shoukei Matsumoto, a Buddhist monk in Kyoto, Japan, in his book A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind. (A Monk’s Guide to a Clean Home and a Clear Mind)
“The time we spend carefully cleaning every corner of the temple is extremely fulfilling.”
For those who hate cleaning and find it overwhelming, it can be helpful to focus on the process, not the to-do list.
“For people who see cleanliness as a chore, change isn’t about forcing yourself to like it, but rather changing how you relate to it,” says Schiff.
Don’t try to finish everything in a hurry. Pay attention to their body movements, their rhythm, or things like the temperature of the water.
“If you slow down and focus on the sensory aspects, the activity can start to work more like a mindfulness exercise,” says the psychologist.
For some people, cleanliness it can also be an opportunity to free his mind. Matsumoto says that cleaning is a form of caring for yourself and the world.
“In our practice, we don’t see cleanliness as a task to control the environment. We see it as taking care of the space you live in,” says Matsumoto.
“When we clean we are taking care of our extended self. It is a way of taking care of the relationship between us and the world.”
Instead of chasing perfection, says Matsumoto, try accepting imperfection without anxiety.
“Peace is not found in a final state of perfect order, but in the modest and ongoing act of freeing our space and our minds.”
Sometimes the overwhelming feeling comes not from the task itself, but from what it symbolizes. It could be time pressure, self-criticism or other anxieties, says Schiff.
“Break down the activity into very small, clear steps to reduce this barrier,” she advises. “Choose one surface, one task, or one room to start with.”
“A lot of the feeling of overwhelm comes from the anticipation of the whole activity, not the first step itself,” says Schiff.
“In a clean space, even when the person who cleaned is no longer there, we can feel the care and attention they put into that place,” says Matsumoto, according to sciencealert.com.
“This attention creates a sense of peace and safety, similar to why sacred spaces like temples feel different from busy streets.”
