Depression can be all-consuming. Leaving you feeling unmotivated, fatigued, and unable to function normally, activities like home-cleaning become less of a necessary chore, and more of an intense burden that you’re simply not able to cope with. And yet, a messy, grubby home does nothing to improve the way you feel, if anything, it makes things worse. So what’s the solution?
By breaking cleaning down into smaller, manageable tasks, altering your mindset, and using professional cleaning services when needed, you can regain control of your home without causing more harm to your mental health.
Below are some simple and practical tips for keeping a clean home when dealing with depression:
Begin with smaller, easier to manage chores
Being able to tick a few cleaning tasks off a list without it having taken up too much of your time or energy, can be just the motivation you need to get your home clean and tidy.
Set a timer
Helping to break cleaning tasks into smaller chunks that are easier to manage, setting a timer can be very helpful for anyone struggling to find the time or energy to clean.
Use the 20/10 method
By cleaning for 20 minutes, taking a break for 10, and repeating as often as needed (or as possible), you may find it easier to stay motivated and energized.
Create a checklist
With a simple checklist of the tasks that need to be carried out, you can benefit from structured cleaning that helps you track your progress. This method also makes cleaning less overwhelming and more efficient.
Focus on tasks that are high-impact
It’s easy for anyone suffering from depression to feel overwhelmed by many things, and cleaning is often one of them. But by focusing on tasks that will create the biggest impact in your home (and to your life), you can minimize effort while still creating a more comfortable, functional and clean living space.
Below are a few high-impact tasks:
- Making the bed
- Tidying the sink area and doing the dishes/loading the dishwasher
- Emptying the trash
- Sanitizing surfaces
- Vacuuming areas that are high-traffic
- Keeping on top of laundry
Ask for help from friends and family
Oftentimes, friends and family are only too happy to help someone who might be struggling, and by asking for help with your cleaning, you can make your loved ones feel good about themselves, while your home gets back into a more manageable condition.
Be kind to yourself and seek support for your mental health
It’s okay to feel depressed, sad, anxious or angry, and if this has stopped you from keeping your home as clean as you would like, that’s also okay. Allow yourself time to come to terms with how you’re feeling, and be kind to yourself, too. You didn’t ask to be depressed, nobody does, but by practising self-compassion, and seeking professional support for your mental health if needed, you’ll gradually find it easier to manage cleanliness and clutter in your home.
Get professional help
Nowadays, many professional cleaning companies offer affordable services that can fit in around your schedule, and needs. So if keeping your home clean ever feels like something you simply can’t achieve (whether it be that day, that week, or ever), schedule a professional cleaning session and enjoy a hygienically clean and tidy home without any of the stress, and any of the guilt.
Here are just a few of the ways in which professional house cleaning in Tampa can help when you’re battling depression:
- Makes cleaning less overwhelming
- Helps you create a fresh start
- Saves you valuable time and energy
- Provides you with a consistently clean home (if you use their services regularly)
At the end of the day, while a clean home is important, taking care of yourself is far more important than maintaining a spotless home. There is also absolutely no shame in asking for help, whether it be for cleaning or in dealing with mental health issues. Clean your home yourself using the tips outlined above, or ask for help from professional cleaners, friends or family, but above all else, look after yourself, and the rest will fall into place.