How to Overcome Being a Neat Freak

Being neat and tidy is a good habit to develop. However, being neat and tidy can develop into a compulsive disorder. Under such a condition people develop a fear of dirt and germs. They are constantly cleaning. If they see something dirty or out of place they will stop what they are doing to go clean the mess they see. Being a neat freak can have an negative effect on relationships with family and friends driving them away. When in an environment that may not be up to a neat freak's standards of cleanliness he or she may experience anxiety attacks.

Also being a neat freak can weaken ones immune system, according to Anjana Ahuja's report "Some Toxins May Be Good For Us" at timesonline.co.uk, an obsessively sterile environment can be blamed for childhood allergies. According to Ahuja the human body is made to cope with germs that can result from uncleanliness strengthens the immune system. However, if ones environment is constantly kept so clean the immune system is not able to strengthen itself. Then when a person is exposed to uncleanliness the person may become sick.

Curing The Neat Freak
If a person realizes that he or she is a neat freak, the person should not try to cure him or herself by becoming a slob. A person can take steps to cure the problem that will encourage being neat and clean without over doing it.

Set A Cleaning Schedule
Following a cleaning schedule can prevent one from being compulsive. It can help a person to get use to seeing untidiness such as unstacked magazines on a table, dust on furniture, or a cobweb on the ceiling, until the schedule cleaning time. A schedule can help one to use time wisely. For example, one can spend time resting or being with friends or family instead of busily going throughout the house every day cleaning the same thing over again. One's mind is free to think of other things.

Following is an example of a cleaning schedule:

Cleaning The Kitchen
Maintain the habit of keeping a tidy kitchen to keep out bugs and rodents.
Always wash dishes after using them and always put them away.
Maintain the habit of properly storing food.
Good kitchen hygiene is important to keep to maintain good health.

Bathroom Cleaning
Maintain the habit of keeping a tidy bathroom too.
Harmful bacteria, such as staph can develop from unclean tubs, showers, shower curtains, and toilets and sinks. So continue to clean them frequently.

Laundry
Refrain from doing laundry everyday. Set your laundry day for once a week. Toss dirty clothes and linen into hampers and baskets, and grow accustom to looking at them.

Dusting
Do not dust every day. Allow a little dust to be on furniture and blinds. Schedule dusting for once a month for furniture and once a year for blinds.

Window Cleaning
Only clean your windows once a year.

Floor Cleaning
The frequency of floor cleaning depends on how dirty ones floor gets. In general vacuum and sweeping should be done once a week. However, if mud is tracked on the floor or if food or drink is dropped or spilt on the floor clean the mess up immediately. Only clean the messy spots instead of the entire floor.

If a person can determine on his/ her own that he/she has a neat freak problem, the person can take steps to cure him/her self. However, if you feel your problem is too severe seek professional help. There are therapist who specialize in treating people suffering from such a compulsive disorder. When overcoming being a neat freak, be careful not to revert to an extreme opposite. Neatness is a good thing, but do not overdo it.