N.S. woman’s viral TikToks show link between a clean home and mental health
Nova Scotia psychology student Brogan Ingram is using her online voice to help people better understand the correlation between mental health and cleaning.
She shares her stories and cleaning hacks on TikTok, where she’s gained more than four million followers.
“If you’re living in the constant clutter or mess, it can actually trigger a low-grade flight or fight mode,” said Ingram.
She says many people don’t understand the impact having a messy home can have on their mental health.
“It can raise cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone,” she said. “When you’re struggling to take care of your mental health and yourself, cleaning is the last thing you’re going to want to do.”
After receiving thousands of comments and messages from people “living in unlivable situations” looking for help, Brogan started fundraising to hire cleaners.
“I did that for a little bit until I realized these cleaners were actually rejecting the jobs, because they were too big, too hard, there was either bugs or rodents they would not go near.”
That’s when she started doing free cleanings each weekend for locals in need.
A mother of three had a fridge full of food that was all expired. Another had mice living in their oven.
She says when clients walk into their clean home, it can be as fulfilling as it is heartbreaking.
“I’ve seen children come home to clean houses, and it's almost like they’ve never seen their house clean before.”
When she goes into a new home, Ingram says she tries to bring openness and understanding.
“People who are living in this, they don’t need more judgment, they need kindness and compassion. I think that’s why a lot of them are allowing me into their homes,” said Ingram.
“It’s definitely a life-changing thing all around.”
You can find her on TikTok as Nottheworstcleaner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.