This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
Photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash
You’ve probably already heard about many of the benefits of counseling–improved mental health, better relationships, enhanced communication skills, and relief from symptoms of mental health disorders. But did you know that, in an indirect way, counseling can even help you keep your home clean? Read on to learn more about this unexpected connection.
Benefits of Counseling
Let’s start by discussing some of counseling’s benefits. By attending counseling sessions (whether in person or virtual) and putting in the effort, you can experience:
- A greater sense of purpose and self
- Improved self-esteem, confidence, and self-acceptance
- The ability to identify and change self-defeating habits and behaviors
- Enhanced management and expression of emotions
- Better decision-making skills
- Effective coping mechanisms for stress
- Improved conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities
Aside from these and the benefits mentioned in this post’s introduction, there are also some unexpected benefits. One of these is the ability to more easily keep up with everyday tasks, such as cleaning your home. To better explain this effect of counseling, we first need to dive into the impacts of poor mental health on your everyday life. (For more information on counseling, click here.)
Consequences of Poor Mental Health on Everyday Life
If you’ve ever experienced anxiety, depression, stress, or any other type of mental strain or mental health disorder, then you know how difficult everyday life can become. When an underlying condition or excessive stress is consuming your mental energy, it can make seemingly easy tasks like doing the dishes or cleaning the house seem incredibly overwhelming. And the more these tasks aren’t completed, the more the work piles up, and the more paralyzing it seems to become. This turns into a vicious cycle that is often challenging to end.
Why Counseling Makes a Difference
So, how does counseling make a difference in your ability to take on everyday tasks without becoming overwhelmed? Well, counseling provides a safe space to work through your thoughts and feelings so that you can get everything out of your head, view it from a new perspective, and discuss it in a constructive manner. Counseling also teaches you effective coping skills so that you have various strategies to employ anytime your emotions become difficult to handle. As a result of these aspects of counseling, many people begin to feel much more motivated and capable of taking on everyday life.
The Positive Cycle
We mentioned how poor mental health can result in a vicious cycle, but the wonderful thing to note is that the opposite can also occur. The motivation and sense of capability to take on life’s daily tasks resulting from counseling can enable you to clean your space. And cleaning your space, in turn, can help your mental health.
Have you ever heard the saying, “A cluttered space is a cluttered mind”? Well, the opposite is true as well; a clear space is a clear mind! In fact, research shows there are multiple ways that living in a clean, tidy house improves your mental health. Cleaning makes you feel more in control and induces feelings of calmness. The act of cleaning in and of itself has an uplifting effect on the mood and can even spark inspiration and creativity. Plus, it’s much easier to focus and maintain motivation when your space is clean.
A Final Word
Now you know the unexpected way in which attending counseling can help you keep your home clean! Working through your thoughts and feelings, strengthening your coping skills, and cultivating a sense of capability and motivation makes it easier to tackle everyday tasks and responsibilities. If you’re experiencing any mental health challenges, please know that you’re not alone, and help is always available; don’t be afraid to reach out.