How Clutter Impacts Your Mental Health
Whether it’s a messy desk, a crammed closet, or a pile of unopened mail, clutter makes people feel stressed, anxious, and even depressed.
But did you know that clutter can also seriously impact your mental health?
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that rats exposed to cluttered environments were likelier to be anxious and stressed than rats who lived in clean, organized spaces.
And it’s not just rats. A growing body of research suggests that clutter can harm our mental health, productivity, and relationships.
How clutter can impact your mental health:
Clutter can cause stress, anxiety, and depression.
If you’re constantly surrounded by piles of clothes, papers, or other belongings, it can seem like you will never get it all under control. For some people, clutter can be a trigger for anxiety and depression.
If you’re already struggling with mental health issues, the last thing you need is to be surrounded by reminders of your chaotic life. This can lead to anxiety and stress, impacting your mood, sleep, and overall well-being.
Clutter can lead to feelings of shame and guilt.
If you like holding on to stuff “just in case” or because you feel guilty about getting rid of them, then clutter can make you feel even more shame and guilt. These negative emotions can further add to stress and anxiety and may lead to procrastination.
Clutter interferes with focus and productivity.
If your environment is chaotic, it can be challenging to focus on anything else. Unfortunately, this can make it hard to be productive or accomplish essential tasks. That’s because all that visual clutter can distract and make concentrating difficult.
Clutter can make it difficult to relax.
When your home is full of clutter, finding a place to relax can be hard. This can lead to feelings of frustration and irritability. All that mess can make you feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Clutter can impact your sleep.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, clutter could be to blame. A cluttered environment makes it hard to relax and wind down so you can sleep soundly.
Clutter can cause physical health problems.
If you’re constantly tripping over things or moving things around to find what you need, it can lead to physical health problems like back pain or muscle strain. Did you know most older adults who fall usually trip over something at home? It can happen to anyone, so organize and clean up to prevent accidents.
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If you felt shame and embarrassed about the clutter, it makes it difficult to entertain guests. This leads to social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Plus, if you’re constantly arguing with your spouse or partner about the state of your home, clutter likely is to blame. All that tension can take a toll on your relationships, including friends you never want to come over.
Finally, if your environment is full of clutter, it can feel like your life is out of control. This can impact your self-esteem and leave you feeling overwhelmed. What’s more, if you have young children, clutter can make it difficult for them to focus and behave. A messy home can also be dangerous for young kids, who are at risk for injury if they stumble upon something sharp or poisonous.