Obsessive cleanliness is so tiring, what should I do?

Hello! I'm thrilled to be able to answer your question. I hope that some suggestions will be helpful to you.

For people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, it's important to focus on whether self-awareness is having a serious impact on our daily lives and emotional state.

If we are so serious that we cannot rest or go out without cleaning, we feel particularly uncomfortable, affecting our daily social interactions or normal solution of urgent problems, then we should go to the hospital for a timely examination and seek help from a professional psychological counselor to adjust our behavior habits. This is a great opportunity to make some positive changes!

For those of us who love a sparkling clean space, it's great to have a healthy balance. We can make sure we're looking after our natural personal hygiene, keep our home tidy, and protect our bodies.

But here's the thing: if it's excessive, it can cause us a lot of inconvenience. And even excessive cleaning can make us sick!

Our bodies are teeming with bacteria that keep us in balance. When we clean too much, some of these bacteria break out, causing inflammation.

And it's the same outside too! We already have lots of bacteria in our society, and it's this collective of bacteria that creates a kind of balance.

For example, there's an interesting saying that if we modern people traveled back in time, it's likely that the ancient people would instantly die because we'd carry a lot of bacteria to kill them. People in those days didn't have so many antibiotics, nor did they have such strong physical fitness, so they couldn't withstand such toxins and would die. But for us modern people, we've grown up in this living environment since childhood, so we've adapted to the extent of this virus, which is called antibodies. That means we can live a healthier life! If our self-cleaning is excessive, we'll become a very clean state, existing in an environment full of many bacteria, which isn't conducive to our health.

Everything is fine in moderation. And when it gets to the point of excess, it is actually excessive—but that just means we get to make some changes!

So, if we realize after self-examination that our degree of cleanliness is indeed very serious, we should definitely seek the assistance of professionals! On the cognitive level, we can first learn about some of our disinfection methods. We can take some disinfectant wipes when we go out. In terms of psychological comfort, or objective methods of killing bacteria, they can help us socialize better. If this kind of approach cannot calm our minds, we need to learn some methods of regulating our emotional state so that we can better live our lives!

I'm excited to see what the future holds! With self-reflection and the help of professionals from all walks of life, I'm sure I'll be able to find a lifestyle that suits me and live a safe and healthy life.

I love the world and the world loves me!

Hello, dear questioner!

From what you've told me, I can see that you're feeling a bit helpless and confused. But it's also clear that you're aware of what's going on and that you're brave enough to face this uncomfortable feeling.

From what you've told me, I can tell you're going through a rough time. It's totally understandable to feel uncomfortable with your obsessive-compulsive disorder. I want you to know that this is not your fault. It might be something you were born with, or it could be that something happened in your past that made you feel this way.

All problems are our resources, and we are experts at solving our own problems. Based on what you've told me, I think I can give you some advice that might help.

First, try to be kind to yourself and do what you need to do.

We all do it. When something confusing comes up in life, we tend to avoid it or even hate the uncomfortable feeling. But here's the thing: that subconscious behavior actually makes the feeling stronger. So, what do we do in that moment?

I really think you should try it when this uncomfortable feeling arises.

You've got this! Endure this uncomfortable feeling and do what you need to do.

This is one way of practicing Morita therapy, and it's also a core theory I've learned in studying naturopathy: just let it be.

Secondly, it's important to accept that suffering is something we can't avoid.

When we have these uncomfortable feelings, the first thing to do is to let them be. Don't avoid them, but accept the emotions when they arise. Being a perfectionist can give you these feelings, but you can get through them!

Then you can restrain this uncomfortable feeling that brings you to escape. It's so important to remember that this uncomfortable feeling is just a part of you, and it's okay to have it.

And then, look for the pain and fear.

It's totally normal to feel a bit uncomfortable when we encounter these feelings. The more we face them head-on, the more we'll feel at ease. For instance, if you usually wash your hands when you come back from going out, try not to skip that step.

Just stop for a moment and think about the consequences of not washing.

Then, take some positive action!

We all have our own struggles. When we feel those uncomfortable feelings, it's so important to face them bravely and take positive action.

Another great way to let off steam and shift your focus is to get some exercise. And don't forget about meditation and positive thinking — they're super helpful too!

And finally, don't be afraid to ask for help from others!

If you're struggling to adjust, control, or relieve your emotions, it's okay! You can always seek help from professional counselors or psychiatrists. They're there to help you heal and adjust your perception through professional techniques.

You've got this! Find the inner strength to step out of this uncomfortable situation with more courage.

Dear questioner, My name is Duoduo Lian, and I hope my reply can support you in any way I can!

It's so important to take care of ourselves, especially when we're out and about. We all worry about the pollution of public objects by other people's hands, which can affect our health. It's also so easy to get tired, both physically and mentally. After experiencing the epidemic, people are more concerned about their health, and that's a good thing!

When we're out and about, we come into contact with not only people but also objects. We need to interact with others, go shopping, use public transport, and so on. It's really hard to prevent everything! The best thing you can do is take precautions, and the rest you can just let nature take its course.

If this state of affairs continues to affect you, you also need to sort it out, my friend. I don't know what kind of occupation you are in, but whether it is a high-risk industry or not, while you are concerned about your health, you also have a sense of responsibility. You hope that the people around you can also be healthy, and you must be healthy yourself first, starting with yourself.

In the original family, the nurturer also has an impact on the child. It's so important to remember that the physical condition of the parents, or diseases in the family, and the parents' internal insecurity can also be passed on to the child. This can make the child feel worried and scared, and amplify events.

Behind the worry is also the protection of oneself. We all fear being affected in some way. For example, is there more risk for someone who is not afraid of meeting a tiger? Our ancestors often protected themselves in this way in order to survive. There are a lot of negative thoughts, just like parents nowadays scaring their children so that they don't dare go against her wishes.

What would you do if you had a health problem due to poor hygiene? It's a good question! And it's one that we should all ask ourselves. What are the chances of that happening? And how do people at risk deal with it? As the saying goes, if you keep going to the river, sooner or later you'll get your feet wet.

Relax first, you're doing a great job! If we all start with ourselves and look out for each other, it'll benefit us all. There are also lots of bacteria in the air, and the elderly and infirm are also targets of attacks. We need to stick together to get through this!

Make yourself happy, go into nature, maintain a stable mood, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, exercise more, and take care of your health in every way. You've got this!

Oh, bless you!

Greetings.

It is a valid concern that despite the common practice of washing one's hands after using the restroom, there is still a possibility that some individuals may not adhere to this routine.

It is conceivable that a small number of individuals may not adhere to the recommended standards of hygiene, failing to wash their hands before touching public objects. This could result in the transfer of bacteria, germs, and fecal matter particles to these objects.

It can be reasonably deduced that your suspicions are indeed correct.

Over the course of numerous epidemics, we have acquired a substantial body of knowledge regarding the prevention of infectious diseases. I recall that shared elevator buttons and door handles represent significant intermediaries for the transmission of diseases.

In the context of an epidemic, it is of particular importance to either implement isolation measures or to apply disinfectant to objects that are in public contact. This can effectively interrupt the transmission route and control the rapid spread of the epidemic.

During the epidemic, we acquired knowledge about bacteria, viruses, and the prevention of infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on disinfection and hand hygiene. For instance, we learned about air disinfection.

Colleagues in our department each purchased an ultraviolet lamp for the purpose of disinfecting the air in their respective residences. We were informed that there is a considerable amount of microbial activity occurring within the ambient air.

The atmosphere contains a multitude of particulates, including dust, bacteria, and viruses. In the event of a respiratory infection, the virus is expelled into the air, where it can be inhaled by another individual. The prevalence of pathogenic viruses in the atmosphere is a significant concern, particularly in the context of public health. The potential for infection is heightened when individuals are not wearing masks, as the virus can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.

As inhabitants of Earth, we are continuously exposed to a myriad of microorganisms and dust particles that are not visible to the naked eye. It is therefore unavoidable that we will come into contact with these particles, and it is impossible to achieve absolute cleanliness. The concept of absolute cleanliness is therefore flawed, and the focus should be on achieving a state of relative cleanliness.

Despite the cessation of the epidemic, a considerable degree of disease prevention awareness persists. The practice of handwashing and changing clothes upon entering the residence has been maintained.

Upon returning from an external environment, regardless of whether contact with public objects has been made, I adhere to the practice of changing my footwear and performing hand hygiene. Subsequent to handwashing, I remove my external garments and replace them with attire appropriate for the domestic setting.

I believe this is an effective method for maintaining a relatively clean environment.

You engage in meticulous cleaning of your domicile upon returning from your place of employment. I am uncertain as to the means by which you accomplish this.

You have indicated that you experience fatigue when engaging in comprehensive cleaning on a regular basis. Consequently, it is plausible that you would undertake other personal hygiene tasks, such as bathing and laundering your clothes, when you have the opportunity.

If my assumption is accurate, the process can be quite exhausting.

It is notable that even individuals who remained confined to their residences were subjected to thorough disinfection, yet still became infected. This observation highlights the potential for airborne particles to facilitate the transmission of pathogens, even in environments that appear to be relatively pristine.

In light of these considerations, it seems reasonable to conclude that a certain degree of concern regarding the potential for infection is beneficial for personal hygiene and health. The fact that many individuals have developed the habit of washing their hands and changing their shoes upon returning home is an encouraging indication that the public is taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

This is an exemplary awareness of disease prevention. It is an excellent approach.

It is necessary to determine which of these disease prevention habits should be retained and which can be eliminated. According to general and common cleaning standards, some of these habits may be unnecessary and can be deleted.

It is not necessarily the case that this is an instance of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Individuals with a proclivity for cleanliness may experience fatigue as a result of this inclination. It is recommended that they seek the guidance of a qualified psychological counselor to conduct a comprehensive self-exploration. This process should include an examination of the factors that led to the formation of the cleanliness habit, as well as an assessment of whether this habit has previously brought benefits to the individual. However, it is also important to identify any potential burdens that the habit may currently impose.

Cleanliness has historically served as a protective factor, and the habit has been retained. However, contemporary circumstances have evolved, and the necessity for cleanliness has diminished. Habits undergo transformation over time, and change is inherently challenging. It is recommended to allow sufficient time for adjustment in accordance with individual needs.

Should the cleanliness obsession have reached the level of OCD, the process of change will be more arduous and the rate of change slower. However, with the requisite determination to change, one can follow the guidance of a counselor, reflect constantly, and practice new habits, thereby achieving a satisfactory behavioral outcome.

I extend my best wishes to you and the world at large. It is my hope that you will embrace self-love as well.

Good day, my name is Gu Daoxi Fengshou, and I am a heart exploration coach.

I empathize with the questioner's sentiments. Performed frequently, a thorough cleaning can be quite laborious. I extend my support to the questioner in this challenging situation.

Following the pandemic, it is likely that some habits will be formed, such as wearing masks when going out and disinfecting when returning home. Maintaining reasonable hygiene is beneficial in avoiding some germs, but excessive cleaning may also kill some beneficial bacteria.

The questioner may wish to consider the process of developing a clean-freak habit.

Please indicate the point in time at which you began to develop the habit of being a neat freak. Was this a natural inclination, or did you cultivate the habit in the wake of the epidemic?

It would be beneficial to be aware of the path of habit formation, which may assist the questioner in making more effective habit adjustments.

It is important to note that molecules are in motion, and apart from touching, there is a possibility of introducing bacteria through breathing. To better understand how to adjust to this situation, it may be helpful to review the history of pandemics, such as SARS and the new crown. This could include carrying disinfectant when going out, spraying it before touching, or wearing gloves, masks, and changing clothes when entering.

It would be beneficial to ascertain the root cause of the internal conflict. Is it due to an obsessive need to clean that requires significant energy, or is it caused by anxiety regarding the potential health risks associated with germs? By becoming aware of the essential need, it may be possible to assist the questioner in making more appropriate adjustments.

Please consider the potential consequences of not cleaning and assess the probability of such an outcome occurring.

From a data perspective, analyzing the situation may provide the questioner with a sense of security.

Consider the locations you have visited and determine which require more thorough cleaning upon your return and which can be cleaned less intensively. Focusing on specific areas may help you feel more at ease.

Remain calm and reassure yourself that you are doing your best, accepting the situation as it is, and making contingency plans within your capabilities. This will reduce the likelihood of problems for the questioner, and for the rest, we can perhaps try to adapt to the circumstances.

The speed of molecular motion is very fast, and if there is a real contact at that time, the infection may occur more quickly. Cleaning at home may only provide psychological comfort. Doing a good job of protecting yourself when you go out may make the questioner feel more at ease.

It would be beneficial to consider the situation from a positive perspective. Is it accurate to assume that a significant number of individuals are required to disinfect their masks after wearing them outside? Based on the current circumstances, it seems unlikely that this is the case.

Taking the initiative to prioritize basic protection is a significant step forward for many individuals.

It is recommended that the questioner read "Burns Anxiety Self-Help Therapy" and "A Thought Turn," which may assist in adjusting his thinking.

Best regards,

Hello, I'm Jokerev, and I can sense how important you are to public hygiene and how anxious you are about it.

First of all, we want to commend you for your cautious and hygienic habits! In today's society, it's more important than ever to keep yourself and your environment clean. Not only is it an important way to maintain your health, but it also helps you feel your best! However, if this worry is seriously affecting your daily life and even making you feel exhausted, we're here to help. Let's consider the problem from two levels: psychological adjustment and practical coping.

First, let's focus on emotional comfort! We can't control everything in the outside world, but we can control our own reactions and attitudes. Take a deep breath and relax. We live in an imperfect world, and it's totally normal for everyone's perception and practice of hygiene standards to differ.

We can do our best to protect ourselves by washing our hands frequently and using disinfectant, for example, but we also need to learn to accept some uncontrollable factors. It's important to remember that our immune systems can resist microorganisms in the external environment to a certain extent. While excessive tension and anxiety may affect physical and mental health, we can take steps to ensure our immune systems stay strong!

Next, let's think about life in a new way. It's like a spiritual practice! Along the way, we'll face all kinds of challenges, including the fear of the unknown and the pursuit of cleanliness. Sometimes, we need to learn to find a balance between reality and ideals and accept a moderate degree of "imperfections." That's the true face of life—and it's an amazing one!

You can try to adjust your focus and pay more attention to the things that make you feel at ease and comfortable, rather than focusing too much on the unavoidable risks. This is a great way to stay positive and keep your spirits up!

As for practical coping methods, you can carry portable hand sanitizer, wet wipes, etc. with you, so that you can clean your hands at any time, even when you are outside. In addition, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing the necessary cleaning when you come home. You don't have to be too frequent or meticulous to the point of exhaustion. You can set a reasonable cleaning frequency and scope.

And don't forget about your mental health! You can even find ways to relax and cope with anxiety. Talk to a counselor, learn some new techniques, and enjoy the ease and joy of life while maintaining good health.

I extend to you a gesture of affection.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, particularly when it is excessive, can have a profound impact on daily life, leading to anxiety and fatigue. The following recommendations may assist in coping with this condition:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a psychological treatment method that helps patients identify and change irrational thought patterns that lead to compulsive cleaning. Through CBT, patients can learn to view cleanliness and hygiene in a healthier way.

2. Exposure therapy: Under the guidance of a qualified professional, individuals should gradually expose themselves to and adapt to environments that they find anxiety-inducing in order to reduce their excessive need for cleaning.

3. Relaxation Techniques: Learning and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can assist in maintaining composure when experiencing anxiety.

4. Set Reasonable Cleanliness Standards: Rather than striving for perfection, it is advisable to set a reasonable cleanliness standard for oneself. This can help reduce unnecessary cleaning activities.

5. Time Management: Establish time constraints for cleaning activities to prevent excessive cleaning. For instance, one might set a limit of a certain number of hours per day to be dedicated to cleaning.

6. It is recommended that individuals who are experiencing a significant impact on their quality of life due to compulsive cleanliness seek the guidance of a psychologist or psychotherapist. These professionals can provide effective treatment and support.

7. Self-education: It is beneficial to gain an understanding of the psychological mechanisms that underpin obsessive cleanliness and the impact this has on behaviour. This can facilitate a deeper comprehension of one's own behaviour, which in turn can provide motivation for change.

8. Form a support network: It is beneficial to share one's feelings with family and friends, as their understanding and support can assist in coping with an obsession with cleanliness.

9. Gradually reduce the frequency of cleaning. One may attempt to gradually reduce the frequency and intensity of cleaning in order to become accustomed to cleaning less frequently.

10. It is important to maintain a positive outlook and recognize that changing one's obsessive-compulsive disorder is a gradual process that requires time and patience. Celebrating every small improvement is an essential aspect of this process.

It is important to note that OCD can be effectively managed and treated. By following the aforementioned methods, individuals can gradually reduce the impact of OCD on their lives and improve their overall quality of life.

Should you encounter difficulties in managing your condition independently, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a qualified professional.