Spell It: Discover a surprising way to manage stress
We learn that cleaning and grooming oneself has an unexpected effect on stress levels
Do you know how birds deal with stress? They clean.
Click start to play today’s Spell It, where we learn about a surprising way in which, we can cope with stressors in our ‘daily’ routine.
Coping is all about making an effort to manage overwhelming demands. According to a July 1992 study published in the US-based journal Physiological Reviews, observational studies of many animals, like arthropods and birds, have found that these animals cope by grooming and self-cleaning behaviours.
Scientists found this intriguing. Could similar coping mechanisms help humans who are in stressful situations?
A May 2023 study published in the journal Social, Psychological and Personality Science found that both real and simulated cleaning (where study participants saw videos of others cleaning) helped people reduce the impact of stress. Even if the source of stress had nothing to do with dirt, germs or disease, cleaning seemed to help alleviate the burden.
But what does cleaning have to do with stress and why is it so effective?
According to a June 2023 report in US-based psychology news website Psychology Today, it may have something to do with how cleanliness is perceived – in many cultures, it has connotations of goodness, purity and stability. So, when someone participates in a cleaning ritual, they come out of it with more positive self-views. For instance, they may feel more self-confident and in control, thereby helping them to deal with stress better and become more resilient.
What’s surprising about these findings is that usually, coping strategies are related to the nature of the stressor. For instance, people tend to use the technique of social support if they’re coping with loneliness. In other cases, they would use escape strategies, like playing computer games, to deal with boredom.
But new research into self-grooming and cleaning has found that it’s an effective coping mechanism even when the fear or stressor is not related to germs or dirt.
So, the next time you’re stressed out, try spring cleaning – it just might make you feel better.
Are you a stress cleaner? Play today’s Spell It and let us know at games@gulfnews.com.