A woman is carrying boxes while decluttering her home.
Numerous studies have proven that clutter is bad for your health. By chaos, we mean anything that you don’t use that takes up your space. In addition to financial and physical health benefits, decluttering has numerous mental health benefits. Here are the most profound mental health benefits of decluttering you will experience once you learn to let go of the excess.
Creating order reduces stress.
Clutter adds to your stress more than you realize. The stress-causing hormone called cortisol is linked to clutter. As a pile of clutter grows, so does your stress level. Stress comes from just thinking about going through it all, sorting, packing, selling, etc. Re-establishing order will make you feel calmer. If doing it all at once sounds overwhelming, make a decluttering checklist and do it little by little every day or at least every week.Â
Anxiety comes hand in hand with stress.
Clutter also adds to your anxiety. It can be compared to visual noise. If you often feel nervous and overwhelmed in your own home, the reason may have something to do with clutter. Headaches and shortness of breath could be some of the symptoms, too. To reduce anxiety, make it a habit to declutter your living space regularly. Please take a few minutes at the end of each day to put everything back in its place and toss trash into the bin.
Alt-text: Woman smiling while holding a smiley face balloon, enjoying the mental health benefits of decluttering.
Decluttering creates a sense of accomplishment.
Decluttering projects can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. Therefore, it gives you a sense of accomplishment whenever you succeed, even if you’ve only decluttered your makeup bag. Trust us, start from something small like your wallet, and you’ll immediately feel better when you’re done.
Decluttering gives you energy.
Once you feel the first benefits of decluttering for your mental health, you’ll keep moving forward. After you gain that sense of accomplishment, you won’t be able to stop. After you declutter one area, you’ll want to move on to the next one. Closet by closet, room by room, your entire home will be tidy in no time. And why stop there? Do some decluttering in your office, your storage unit, and your car, too. When you feel energized, it’s not so hard to keep storage in perfect order and your office desk tidy at all times.Â
Decluttering improves concentration
Another mental health benefit of decluttering is its positive influence on concentration. Concentrating on one task or object can be more difficult in a chaotic environment. Given that your brain’s ability to process information is limited, you cannot focus on your main task when your attention splits in different directions. Hence, the less clutter you have, the better your brain works. You will experience a boost in concentration and productivity as soon as you eliminate the distractions.
Also read about:
https://healthcareprotips.com/what-are-the-physical-symptoms-of-depression-you-should-know/
Decluttering boosts confidence
A messy space can make you feel irritable and send the signal that your life is a mess, too. Getting rid of clutter improves your self-esteem by employing your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Unfortunately, it can be hard to distinguish between what’s a clutter and what’s not. That is why clutter creeps up on us so quickly. Deciding what to toss, what to keep, and where to put it requires making quick decisions. Solving a series of problems and handling this task successfully can significantly boost your sense of confidence and self-efficiency. When you feel good about yourself, you have more courage and more energy to tackle other problems.
Decluttering helps you deal with the past.
Perhaps it isn’t obvious, but physical clutter and emotional clutter can be closely related. Finding old items we haven’t seen in years may bring back all kinds of memories, both happy and sad. Facing those memories can be emotionally cleansing. Remembering the good old days is nice, but living in the past isn’t. It’s necessary to let go of the past and move on.
Decluttering reduces your mental load.
All the little decisions you make during the day, like what to eat, what shoes to wear, or what book to read, add to the mental load you are carrying with you. Decluttering your space helps you reduce that load by reducing the number of options. The fewer options you have, the easier your decision becomes. So simple, yet so effective.
You’ll be grateful for what you have.
You may find some lost treasures among the unwanted junk as you go through your drawers and cabinets. Many people are not even aware of how much stuff they have. One of the most important mental health benefits of decluttering is learning to appreciate what you have. That may improve your mood and give you a new sense of gratitude.
Also read:
https://healthcareprotips.com/how-to-get-relief-of-headache-behind-eyebrows/
Your social life won’t suffer anymore.
Your social life plays an essential role in your mental health. Being part of a social group can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, even the risk of mental illness. Having a clean, clutter-free home will motivate you to invite people over to socialize. On the other hand, if there is clutter all over the place, you’ll feel embarrassed to let anyone see it. Many people choose to socialize in public places like bars and restaurants because they don’t have to clean up their homes before they arrive and leave. Going out may sound more practical, but it also costs more, so you’re likely to skip socializing altogether.Â
The whole family can enjoy the psychological benefits of decluttering.
Clutter is a common cause of conflict among people who share a living space. Sometimes, we blame our partners, children, or roommates for the mess in our homes. Sometimes, they blame us. No matter who is responsible for that mess, everyone can benefit from living in a tidy home. Decluttering helps you reduce family tension and get along better with the people you live among. Organize a family meeting and assign chores to each person. Work as a team to get rid of unwanted items so everyone can enjoy the mental health benefits of decluttering.
Conclusion
The mental health benefits of decluttering are even more important than the practical ones. People are often completely unaware that the hidden cause of their problems is clutter. Decluttering your physical space will cleanse your mind, give you more power to deal with everyday tasks, and improve your social and family life. Once you experience the psychological benefits of decluttering, you’ll develop good organization habits and ditch the obsession with material possessions, so you’ll never find yourself living in chaos again.
Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.
Dr. Kelly Han is a seasoned medical professional with a passion for holistic wellness and integrative health. Based in San Francisco, her expertise spans across various domains of health, from fitness and skincare to oral health and weight management.
Understanding the intricate connections between different aspects of health, Dr. Han believes in a comprehensive approach. Whether it’s the latest skincare regimen, effective weight loss strategies, or understanding hormonal imbalances, she’s dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based advice and actionable insights on a wide array of health topics.
Through her articles, Dr. Han aims to empower individuals to take charge of their well-being, offering them the knowledge and tools they need to lead healthier, more vibrant lives. Join her in exploring the multifaceted world of health, beauty, and wellness.
