Sweeping More Than Dust

She pushed the broom across the floor in slow, deliberate strokes, listening to the soft rhythm it made. Research shows that cleaning and organizing can reduce anxiety by increasing a sense of control and lowering stress levels (Saxbe and Repetti 71).

With every cleared corner, her thoughts felt less crowded. Physical movement during household tasks also contributes to light daily exercise, which supports mental and emotional health (Piercy et al. 230). Cleaning became more than a chore. It became a way to reset, to accept the present moment, and to move forward with intention.

Works Cited

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.