Study: Keep a clean house, feel better

Here's a neat trick: You may feel healthier if you keep your home tidy.

Researchers from Ohio's Case Western Reserve University found that older adults "who keep a clean and orderly home" felt emotionally and physically better after doing housecleaning tasks. One reason for the physical and emotional boost was because of the exercise the adults got from doing the chores, researchers said.

The subjects in the small study were ages 65-94. Perhaps most significant, every one of the 337 participants had at least one chronic illness. Researchers conducted in-home interviews so they could observe each participant's living conditions. Those whose homes were neat and clean tended to say they felt physically and emotionally healthier than those living in "a chaotic environment."

The study was published in the scientific journal Geriatric Nursing.