The Power of a Clean Environment

Mental health and physical health are closely related.  In fact, the WHO states that, "there is no health without mental health."  That's why, whenever I need a boost, I clean my room.  I know, sounds ridiculously easy, but you know the feeling.  Admit it.  We've all been there.  

It's been the week from hell.  You're exhausted, nothing is going right, and you can't bring yourself to clean anything.  Not a thing.  Then, you finally pull yourself together long enough to clean one solitary room.  Maybe it's the living room because you don't want the people who randomly stop by to think that you don't actually have your life together.  Maybe it's the kitchen because, if you're like me, you have to clean the kitchen before you can dirty it again by baking something so you can eat your feelings.  Whatever you're preference, you know that as soon as you clean that room, your mood instantly improves.  You feel powerful, almost invincible.  You can't understand why you were feeling so crappy because all of the sudden your life is back in your hands and you are ready for whatever comes your way.  Right?  We've all experienced this, because I know it can't just be me. 

Well, since I still live with roommates and have very little control over the common living areas for a long period of time, I choose to clean my bedroom.  I spend most of my time in there anyway, you know, those Netflix spirals.  When I'm feeling down and my room is a disaster area, I get the feeling that I should clean.  Then a few days later I actually follow through and I can't believe I've waited that long! Having a clean bedroom calms my soul.  It becomes a welcoming environment instead of representing the crap that is life at that particular moment.  It becomes a place of solitude, reflection, and meditation.  Yes, this probably sounds like bull to you, but for me, a clean bedroom is a powerful thing.  

Then why do I let it get messy, time and time again?  Well, habits are hard to develop but even harder to break.  Growing up, I never even tried to pretend that I was a clean and organized person.  However, I could tell you exactly where my Backstreet Boys Millennium CD case was in the midst of the clothes, books, candy wrappers, schoolwork, and whatnot that littered my floor.  My mom never understood, but I had my system. I know that when I clean my room I feel better, but my room is always messy a week later.  Why do I do this?  Do I like the feeling of accomplishment?  Do I like feeling like my life is out of control but that I have the power to take it back?  I'm not quite sure what the answer is, but all I know is that my giant laundry basket full of clean clothes is staring at me, so I'm going to go put it away and take back control of my life.  I'm going to become calm and I'm going to stay calm.  At least until I run out of space in my laundry basket again.  How about you?