Organization, Decluttering and Physical and Mental Health: What You Need to Know

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Laundry to wash, meals to make, meetings to plan…Is there anyone who doesn’t feel overwhelmed when faced with the seemingly endless to-do lists of life? Just looking at the sheer amount of stuff in our home or workspace can make us feel tired and anxious before we even get started.

Home organization experts like myself have always recommended decluttering to make the home a safer, more pleasant place to live. But beyond that, scientific research shows that clutter can be bad for your physical and mental health.

Here are some ways decluttering and getting organized can make you healthier – both physically and mentally.

Decluttering can reduce stress

Clutter can cause feelings of stress, fatigue, and depression, according to recent research. A University of California study found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers who lived in homes they described as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects.”

Stress also contributes to poor sleep, poor eating habits and general poor health, so it’s a good idea to start decluttering – one step at a time. Set aside 15 minutes per day to straighten up one place, such as a messy shelf or drawer. This way you’ll feel happier and more relaxed at the end of the day, and gradually create more order as you go along.

Less clutter can help you sleep better

Since decluttering reduces stress, you’ll naturally enjoy better sleep. But keeping your bedroom decluttered is itself an aid to sleep. People who take the time to make their beds every morning experience longer, more restful sleep, especially when they use fresh, clean sheets.

Decluttering your bedroom should also include keeping electronic devices turned off or in another room, so you can unwind and go to sleep earlier. And by staying more organized during the day, there will be fewer tasks to distract you later. Not sure how to create an organized bedroom that will promote relaxation and sleep? Check out the post I wrote here about doing just that.

Decluttering can boost your productivity

Clutter is visually distracting. The sheer number of objects in your field of vision can affect your ability to concentrate on one thing at a time, even if you think you’re multitasking efficiently.

According to a study by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, clutter overloads the visual cortex and interferes with its ability to process information. When you cut the clutter, you’re able to think and work more efficiently, thus enabling you to spend less time on tasks, both at home and on the job.

Decluttering can help you eat better

The stress triggered by your clutter may also trigger coping mechanisms like overeating “comfort foods,” according to a Cornell University study from 2016.

A psychological experiment conducted at the University of Minnesota likewise found that while disorder can sometimes spur creativity, a messy room was more likely to lead to eating unhealthy snacks than eating healthy ones. In the latter study, people who spent time in an unorganized room were twice as likely to eat a chocolate bar than an apple. While there may be multiple reasons why people eat more poorly in cluttered surroundings, it’s a good idea to make cooking and dining areas as free of clutter as possible.

Getting Organized Can Improve Your Relationships

Relationships with your partner and friends are important for preventing depression and disease, but a disorganized lifestyle can strain these links. Couples may experience tension and conflict as a result of clutter. Additionally, the time you spend looking for missing objects detracts from time you could be spending with your family.

A cluttered home may also make it difficult to invite guests over. Disorganization can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment, as well as a physical and mental barrier that keeps you from letting others in. Having a regular date with your girlfriends (Wine Wednesdays, anyone?) could provide the motivation you need to maintain your place organized.

Getting started on any decluttering project is often not easy for anyone. Getting help to get this life enhancing improvement underway makes sense. The Just Organized by Taya team can help. We can come in and help you power through decluttering, create organizational systems, and then leave you with a plan to stick to them. Why not book an appointment here? Not only do you stand to gain a more attractive, organized home, but also lots of physical and mental health benefits to boot!

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Just Organized By Taya

Taya Wright, Owner and Principal at Just Organized by Taya

Just Organized by Taya, led by Professional Organizer Taya Wright, offers home organization, office organization and life organization services, in addition to interior styling services to residents across the Greater Houston area.

Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608