Cleaning as Therapy

by Julie Gentry | More from this Blogger

26 Mar 2007 12:26 PM

"What? Is she nuts?" Hear me out before you decide.

When I was sixteen, my brother got in a car accident. The in-a-coma kind where, when he came out of it four months later, he sat in his chair and drooled, and had to learn to walk and talk again. It was devastating to the whole family, but especially to my mother. I remember that one of the first things she did was to go and scour the bathroom. I went and cleaned the other. So began my discovery that cleaning is good therapy.

I don't mean everyday cleaning. That can be drudgery. But when there's a problem to be worked out, strong emotions to be dealt with, or a situation that seems impossible, the repetitive physical activity is a real blessing. The overwhelming majority of cleaning can be done without a lot of active thought. That allows you to run things over in your mind. When your body is moving, your brain seems to work better. I've often come up with good ideas while scrubbing the kitchen floor or cleaning the oven.

Heavy cleaning is also great when you and your husband have had an argument. "I'll show you, I'm going to make the kitchen spotless!" No, that's not what I mean. But there's no arguing that the expenditure of energy used while you're moving boxes in the garage is a better use than hollering things you might later regret. Cleaning gives you a chance to think and rethink what you want to say without having angry outbursts come out. After you've cleaned for an hour or so and thought things through, you might still feel the same, but you're likely to be a lot more calm in presenting your point of view.

Another benefit I've found is that when I am in a clean-for-therapy mode, my children instinctively know that I'm not to be disturbed. I can make the kitchen spotless in an undisturbed hour, or in four "Mom, can you..." hours. When emotions are running high, having some alone time in a household of seven is welcomed. Even if it's cleaning.

Next time you're arguing with your spouse, or someone hurts your feelings, or you're on the end of injustice, try a little cleaning therapy. I'm betting you'll be hooked for good!

Learn more about Julie Gentry

Julie is affectionately known as GoGo Mama to her friends since she seems to always be out and about.

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Sherry Holetzky (11404) 05 Apr 2007 08:37 AM

Wow, Julie! That is some story. Thank you for sharing. I hope your brother is doing well.

You're right... despite my earlier joking, cleaning can be therapeutic.... I have been known to find something to scrub within an inch of it's life as a constructive way to get rid of frustration. :o)

Julie Gentry (5915) 06 Apr 2007 10:55 AM

Thanks, Sherry. That was decades ago *s*.

It sure does help, doesn't it? So much better than throwing dishes (snicker).

Sherry Holetzky (11404) 07 Apr 2007 10:24 AM

It does help. Yard work is good too, like raking. A mindless but physical activity so you can think things through or just clear your head.

I've never been a dish thrower, but I have been known to slam a door... cleaning is far more productive! :o)

Heather Long (16954) 07 Apr 2007 12:07 PM

LOL - this is so me. A few years ago, I got some really bad news from the doctor and I called my husband and told him. I drove home to find him strip cleaning the house -- when I asked what he was doing he said -- you always seem to clean when you feel bad, so I wanted it to be clean so you would feel better. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was the act of cleaning that made me feel better -- on the other hand, his gesture was not in vain, it made me feel pretty good too!

dematteosm (5) 27 Oct 2007 05:21 PM

I just found thing through a search to make sure that I'm not completely crazy. I'm am in the midst of a bit of a psychological breakdown and have an overwhelming urge to have everything in my home in order. I started off with the 2 1/2 day task of organizing my storage room. . . . now i'm in the midst of cleaning and organizing the entire house (including behind appliances and in the cupboards, ick). I think I do it in an attempt to see if time will make things blow over before I make any decisions that turn out to be mistakes, or just eat may way into another break down. Thank you for giving me something to relate to!