Room to Breathe

She opened the windows before she picked up the cloth. Indoor air quality improves with ventilation, reducing exposure to pollutants that can affect respiratory and mental health (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Cleaning routines also support emotional regulation by creating predictability and a sense of control, especially during periods of stress (Saxbe and Repetti 417). She wiped slowly, not chasing perfection. The room felt lighter. So did her chest. Acceptance did not demand more from her. It gave her space to breathe.

Works Cited (MLA)
Saxbe, Darby E., and Rena L. Repetti. “No Place Like Home: Home Tours Correlate with Daily Patterns of Mood and Cortisol.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, vol. 36, no. 1, 2010, pp. 71–85.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation. EPA, 2023.