Introduction
As I mentioned before, I moved a while ago. Along with the move, my work and personal circumstances changed significantly, and my environment has shifted drastically. Now, I spend much more time working and doing tasks at new home. As a result, I’ve started maintaining and cleaning my room more frequently to ensure a good working environment.
I used to clean before, but back then, I hardly spent time at home most days, I was only there for dinner and sleep. Because of that, I didn’t pay much attention to cleaning (I would just do a simple cleaning once a week). However, as I began spending more time at new home, I realized that the state of my room directly affects my mood and quality of life.
The Connection Between “Control Needs” and Cleaning
The three basic human needs—hunger, sleep, and sex—are widely known. But did you know there’s another need that’s just as powerful? That is the need to “have control”. According to psychological studies, the sense of being able to control your environment and actions greatly contributes to reducing stress, improving happiness, and enhancing overall well-being.
Cleaning is one of the simplest ways to satisfy this “control need”. Why? Because through cleaning, you can actively change and organize your surroundings, and the results are immediately visible. I believe this tangible sense of accomplishment is a key factor in boosting self-efficacy.
Ellen Langer's "Mindfulness" Research
Psychologist Ellen Langer, in her book Mindfulness, revealed the impact of a sense of control on happiness and health through an experiment in a nursing home.
She divided the residents of a nursing home into two groups. One group was given small choices in their daily lives (such as taking care of a potted plant or deciding their daily schedule), while for the other group, the staff managed everything.
The results showed that the group that made choices and decisions for themselves experienced an improvement in happiness and health, and even a decrease in mortality rate. This study demonstrates that the feeling of "being in control of one's life" has a significant impact on both mental and physical health.
My personal view is that cleaning your room on your own initiative might be one of the simplest and most effective ways to gain this "sense of control". By tidying up your space, you can immediately feel that you are influencing your environment, which helps to enhance daily happiness and build confidence in your actions.
"Small Success Experiences" Created by Cleaning
Cleaning your room may seem like a mundane task at first glance. However, once you actually get started, you may find that it brings a surprising sense of satisfaction and achievement. For example, just tidying up a cluttered desk or wiping away dust can bring about visible changes.
By noticing these small changes, you gain a sense of "I can change this", fulfilling the need for control. This feeling can motivate you to take the next action and become a trigger for cultivating positive thinking.
Moreover, rooms naturally get dirty if left alone. By using this to your advantage and regularly cleaning, you can create a system to continuously accumulate small success experiences. Making cleaning a routine allows you to frequently experience the sense of accomplishment and success that comes with "I can do this", thus boosting your sense of self-efficacy.
Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Cleaning
After moving, I made regular cleaning a habit, which has brought about numerous positive changes in both my daily life and mindset. Personally, I feel that the sense of accomplishment I gain from cleaning has become a driving force, motivating me to take on the next task with renewed energy.
As Ellen Langer's research suggests, the feeling of "being in control of your life" directly contributes to improved happiness and health. Cleaning is one of the easiest ways to achieve this sense of control, and incorporating it into your daily routine can have significant benefits.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but for me, cleaning has provided huge benefits far beyond what I imagined. If this article has sparked your interest, why not start with a simple "5-minute cleaning session"? That small step could lead to unexpected and meaningful changes in your life.
Thank you for reading!
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