Sweeping Calm

She pushed the broom steadily across the floor, each sweep deliberate. Research indicates that performing household chores can reduce stress and improve mood by providing a sense of control over one’s environment (Saxbe and Repetti 71).

Physical activity involved in cleaning also contributes to daily energy expenditure and cardiovascular health (Piercy et al. 230). With every corner cleared, her mind felt lighter. Cleaning was more than an obligation. It was a method to cultivate calm, motivation, and focus in the midst of everyday life.

Works Cited (MLA)

Piercy, Katrina L., et al. “The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.” JAMA, vol. 320, no. 19, 2018, pp. 2020–2028.
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.