Soap, Steam, and a Glass of Mint

Saturday mornings used to feel heavy. Not because anything was wrong, but because everything felt unfinished. Dust on the shelves. Dishes stacked too high. Thoughts stacked higher. That morning, I decided not to solve my life. I decided to clean one room.

I filled a bucket with warm water and a small amount of dish soap. Nothing fancy. Just enough to smell clean without being sharp. Overuse of scented cleaners can irritate airways, especially in enclosed spaces, so I kept the windows open and the soap mild (Steinemann). The first pass of the sponge left streaks. The second pass did not. That felt important.

Cleaning has a rhythm when you let it. Wipe. Rinse. Repeat. I moved slowly, deliberately. Studies have shown that repetitive, goal-oriented household tasks can reduce anxiety by providing structure and a visible sense of control (Saxbe and Repetti). I did not think about that at the time. I just noticed my shoulders drop.

When the counters were done, I paused. Not because I was tired, but because the pause felt earned. I poured hot water over loose mint leaves and let them steep. Steam curled upward, carrying a soft, green scent. Herbal teas like mint are commonly used to support digestion and promote relaxation, partly through their mild antispasmodic effects (McKay and Blumberg). I wrapped my hands around the mug and waited.

The drink mattered as much as the cleaning. Hydration supports cognitive function and mood regulation, especially during physical activity, even light activity like housework (Popkin et al.). I drank slowly, standing in the clean kitchen, noticing how the space looked bigger without actually changing size.

I went back to work. Floors next. Long strokes. No rushing. Motivation did not come as excitement. It came as momentum. Each clean surface made the next one feel possible. Cleaning does that. It breaks time into manageable pieces. It gives effort a visible result.

Halfway through, I realized something had shifted. My thoughts were quieter. Not gone. Just less crowded. That is the relax part people forget. Relaxation does not always mean stopping. Sometimes it means engaging fully with something simple and finishing it.

When the last room was done, I made a second drink. This time cold water with lemon. Simple. Bright. Citrus-infused water can encourage increased fluid intake, which indirectly supports energy levels and focus throughout the day (Popkin et al.). I sat by the window, clean air moving through the room, and let the day begin properly.

The house was clean, yes. But more importantly, I felt reset. Cleaning did not fix everything. Drinks did not cure anything. But together, they created a pause where motivation could return without pressure. That felt real. That felt sustainable.

Works Cited (MLA)

McKay, Diane L., and Jeffrey B. Blumberg. “A Review of the Bioactivity and Potential Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea.” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 20, no. 8, 2006, pp. 619–633.

Popkin, Barry M., Kristen E. D’Anci, and Irwin H. Rosenberg. “Water, Hydration, and Health.” Nutrition Reviews, vol. 68, no. 8, 2010, pp. 439–458.

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. 71–81.

Steinemann, Anne. “Fragranced Consumer Products: Exposures and Effects from Emissions.” Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, vol. 9, 2016, pp. 861–866.