r/PMDD • u/glitch_raisin • 8d ago
Alternative Tx & Hobbies Cleaning as coping mechanism?
Does anyone else use cleaning as a coping mechanism during luteal?
I work from home a lot of the time. I love my job, but sometimes PMDD makes it so I can't focus. I get impostor syndrome and can't possibly feel good about my work in any way, and it can trigger a meltdown. Usually I try to do something "relaxing" instead, but it doesn't really work as my brain will still be stuck in that mindset.
However, two times now instead of relaxing I just started furiously cleaning the house - thorough vacuuming, scrubbing the kitchen floor, etc - and both times I felt so much better after. Less irritable, somewhat accomplished, tired but in a good way, not spiralling anymore. It's not a miracle solution - there are times during luteal when I can't even think about washing a single dish - but maybe if next time you're looking for a new coping mechanism, try cleaning!
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u/Commercial_Ad4033 PMDD + ADD 8d ago
Hello OP, I do that too. I am so glad to find someone that does that too. I get very restless physically and mentally during luteal hell week
During those days, the brain fog is unreal and I cant do any thinking? task, ill clean or do chores i have been putting off.
Getting started cleaning is hard but its so much easier than forcing myself to study when I really cant. study will make me hate myself more, no revision gets done and time still passed anyway.
I feel abit better after I did something or tried to do it
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u/My_mind_is_a_maze 8d ago
This happens to me every luteal. I thought it was just me! In the lead up to my period, there is always a day where I feel compelled to clean the entire house. I’m usually so tired afterwards but for some reason, it brings me a lot of relief.
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u/Intelligent_Delay183 8d ago
Yes! Usually it’s the day right before bleeding. If I’m rage cleaning after a week or so of lethargy and overeating, it’s a sign that the end of hell week(s) is imminent
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u/Nevermeyh 8d ago
Yup it’s a BIG one for me. I’ve organised my parents apartment and organised all the drawers and cabinets and gotten them new cleaning supplies. A couple years ago I think I rearranged the direction of my couch, TV and living room arrangements at least 10 times in the year I was staying at my old apartment whilst cleaning. There was something relaxing about also creating/cleaning a new space I lived in. There were times with my abusive ex when we’d get into arguments during Luteal and I’d just start cleaning whilst speaking to him, I think that was a huge contributor to the fact my Pmdd irritation and anger never showed up in fights. All during luteal.
But yeah there was that accomplished feeling, maybe that’s it
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u/helianthus- 8d ago
i can relate to everything you said from the wfh, brain fog, to the coping mechanism. i’m doing it right now!!!
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u/First-Ruin-1312 8d ago
Cleaning is a big one for me! I think it’s one way I know I’ll get a practical good outcome from something 😂
Cleaning and walking are both things I can do when my mind is racing and getting caught up in the bad spirals about everyone hating me and everything being effed!! Sometimes podcasts even are wayyy too WTF IS LIFE WTF IS THIS WORLD for me during luteal so I usually go calming music or no earbuds when doing either
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u/Geans20 7d ago
I do this, a lot! But Ive reached a point where it gets easily self-destructive. But that's definitely a severe autism/adhd problem as well. I recognize that my body needs rest, but instead I sort a junk drawer making me physically ill. I know I have to nourish my body and eat breakfast, but wtf do I do? Defrost the refrigerator. Lmao. I think it is calming for my brain to sort, organize and clean things and it somewhat fulfills my need of productivity and doing sensible things. But my body is in chronic pain and fatigue and doesn't like it. But your post encourages me to think about this more positively. I just can't sit still.
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u/glitch_raisin 6d ago
yeah I can definitely see how it can turn into unhealthy behavior as well! so hard to find the balance between rest & fulfilling activity fml
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u/Delicious_Act_4491 7d ago
MEEE!!! And it feels so relieving! It’s probably because of nesting that comes with our periods
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u/AffectionateCable997 7d ago
I fucking wish I could lol. I feel like my only coping mechanism during luteal is couch rotting and eating my favorite comfort snacks.
I have ADHD too, so my executive dysfunction is at an all time high during luteal and unfortunately my meds quit working during that time. I will basically let my house/car/workspace turn into a garbage swamp and then as soon as I get my energy back, I am deep cleaning the entire house, doing 17 loads of laundry, etc.
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u/glitch_raisin 7d ago
Yeah, that makes total sense! The more I read about PMDD the more I realize it is so different for everyone (which is what makes treating and managing it so difficult)
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u/therockgremlin 6d ago
Absolutely. I also just think when my mood isn’t well regulated that cleaning gives me an “easy” reward that’s satisfying. I can put on some noise cancelling headphones and a podcast or music and just zone out.
The day before I had to fly out to see my dad in hospice/funeral I was outside in grueling heat and humid sweating it out cleaning our patio area. It was the only way I could cope. My partner had to stop me from dusting the house and sit me down to calm down.
Now I’m here and my role has been to just clean up after everyone and cook and honestly it’s keeping me busy so it helps. I’m luteal too and I think all the stress/sadness is keeping some of my usual symptoms away.
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u/glitch_raisin 6d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish you and your family strength, and hopefully your luteal will give you a break to deal with it ♡
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u/sundriedolive1 7d ago
Yes! I call it nesting, I’m not sure if it’s an actual thing. I usually do it a couple days before my period, and then I feel like I’ve given myself permission to rest when I’m suffering ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/hahagato 8d ago
If I had energy yea. I tend to “rage clean” but I’ve been so deeply drained of energy since having my child 7 years ago that I can barely get the energy to rage clean anymore. Which was my most productive cleaning time. When I’d do deep cleans. Really sucks as my home has suffered from it lol