Why Is HOUSECLEANING so physically exhausting to me??

Question

I run 4 miles a day EASILY, and I'm perfectly active & healthy. (I'm 18, female, not pregnant). I live alone, but I HATE cleaning.

Why? Not necessarily because it bores me, (though it does). Because I literally get exhausted & out of breath. I end up NEEDING to take a nap (which NEVER happens to me from cardio exercise and/or serious mental activity like a college test, etc).

Squatting (impossible to avoid when housecleaning) makes me exhausted (I get kind of dizzy and have to sit down) and lifting things like boxes are difficult for me. Squatting & lifting everyday things SHOULD NOT be this difficult for me.

I always end up with sore muscles when I'm cleaning. Vacuuming is physically draining to me as well - I can't even scrub a pot hard without needing to sit down for a breather.

How can I become less lazy and pathetic? According to my doctor, I'm physically healthy.

I'm 5'10 and 122 lbs, and I don't smoke. I also eat pretty healthy (no meat, except fish - I eat veggie sources of protein). I also drink lots of water.

Answer 1

I think it's normal. I'm 14 and I got tired from cleaning my room and having to squat to reach some areas. Lugging around a heavy vaccum is hard.  

Answer 2

I'm the exact same way. I think it's because it's physical activity that you are not used to doing. Just like you could swim 8 miles a day but you might not be able to ride a bike for more than a mile without getting winded. You could see if you can condition yourself to have more stamina doing it by doing it more often, but I just take frequent breaks.  

Answer 3

Me too, sometimes the chemicals certain people are more sensitive too, its probably that, it can easily cause fatigue

Answer 4

Maybe you're trying to do it too fast or too much at one time.

Maybe you should do like I do--clean one room a day.  I don't know how big of a place you have, but maybe it's too much to do it all in one day.

I have to vacuum almost every day because I have 2 cats and throw rugs everywhere to protect hardwood floors.  And dishes too.  

If you can exercise as much as you say you do, then cleaning should be easy.  

I also find putting on music helps to break the boring routine feeling.  

Since it's just you, it ought to be easy to maintain.  

Make it easier on yourself--once you use something, put it back where it belongs.  In other words, don't make double duty for yourself.  

If I were alone, I'd have it made.  But since I have a husband and 2 cats, I'm constantly sweeping or putting back things that my husband doesn't do, or cleaning up behind him or the cats.  

Don't look at it as a chore either...look at it like your place is a reflection of you, you want to try and keep it nice looking for yourself.  

Good luck!

Answer 5

This happens to me too; I can walk or bike miles with no problem, but cleaning truly makes me sick.  I think maybe dust allergies are partly to blame, and I agree with those who said the chemicals can make you sick too.  I also get sort of depressed or in a bad mood sometimes when cleaning, I think because I know I will just have to do the same thing again very soon; yuck; so, I started working with my ipod on and it kind of makes it go better, but I also feel quite pathetic being exhausted after cleaning the shower :-)  I don't know how the maids do it every day, but I always leave a tip because they sure deserve it.