Walls That Listen

She scrubbed the walls with intensity, letting the rhythm of motion match the pounding of her thoughts. Studies show that engaging in cleaning tasks can reduce stress, increase feelings of control, and improve mood, particularly when combined with purposeful effort (Saxbe and Repetti 71).

Physical activity, even in domestic settings, also benefits cardiovascular health and overall energy expenditure (Wu et al. 432). Each swipe was loud, deliberate, and freeing. Cleaning did not restrain her. It gave her a space to move, release, and reclaim herself.

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.
Wu, Haijun, et al. “Physical Activity and Health Outcomes: A Review of Evidence.” Sports Medicine, vol. 50, no. 3, 2020, pp. 423–442.