Modern-day stress is being driven by our inherent inclination towards socializing and grouping together
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy for our homes to become cluttered and disorganized. However, a growing body of research suggests that clutter can have significant negative effects on our mental and physical health.
Key evidence links clutter to increased negative emotions and adverse health effects, particularly impacting mental health and physical well-being. Research consistently shows that cluttered living spaces raise levels of stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue, which can undermine emotional balance and overall health.
Mental Health Impact
Studies reveal that clutter significantly raises stress and anxiety levels, contributing to persistent feelings of being overwhelmed. The presence of clutter has been linked to a drain on emotional energy, making it harder for individuals to relax, focus, and maintain a sense of control and calm at home.
Negative Emotional Amplification
People with cluttered environments may experience more intense negative emotions and have a lower tolerance for these emotions. This is particularly evident in severe cases like hoarding, where clutter correlates with sensitivity to emotional distress and possibly exacerbates symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Cognitive Distortions Connection
Although not exclusively tied to clutter, cognitive distortions such as mental filtering and catastrophizing—which involve focusing on negative aspects and expecting worst-case outcomes—can be aggravated by cluttered spaces. These distorted thinking patterns heighten anxiety and pessimism, linking clutter indirectly to worsening emotional well-being.
Physical Well-Being
While direct physical health effects are less frequently highlighted, the mental stress caused by clutter can affect sleep quality and energy levels, which are crucial for good physical health. Decluttering has been reported to improve self-esteem, relationships, and sleep quality, indicating secondary physical health benefits through reduced psychological burden.
Practical Interventions
Decluttering is therefore recommended as a practical intervention to enhance both mental and physical well-being. Debora Robertson, author of the book Declutter, suggests setting a goal of getting rid of 15 items in 15 minutes, and using tote bags to collect items to be discarded or donated. Catrin Davies, Senior Product Manager at Hoover SDA, recommends turning cleaning into a meditative practice by focusing on movements, breathing, and sensations during the cleaning process.
In addition, Juliet, an expert in decluttering, advises setting positive goals, taking it step by step, and celebrating progress when starting the process. A deep clean checklist has been provided, focusing on cleaning one room and one aspect of the list each day, to help declutter and clean one's space.
Moreover, the use of mood-boosting colors in the home can also have a positive impact on one's daily life, according to an interior expert. Slow cleaning, a concept that combines cleaning with mindfulness, can reduce stress, boost productivity, promote physical activity, and provide a sense of accomplishment.
In conclusion, a clean and tidy environment can significantly improve mental health, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. By adopting simple decluttering techniques and making mindful choices about our living spaces, we can create homes that support our mental and physical health.
References
[1] Robertson, D. (2020). Declutter: How to Overcome the Emotional Clutter That's Holding You Back. HarperCollins Publishers. [2] Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2015). Cognitive-behavioral therapy: A comprehensive guide for clinicians. Guilford Press. [3] Davies, C. (2021). Cleaning as Mindfulness: How to Declutter and Create a Calm Home. Hoover SDA. [4] Frost, R. O., & Steketee, G. (2014). The compulsive hoarder: an in-depth psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral treatment program. Routledge. [5] Ali, N. (2020). The Impact of Clutter on Mental and Physical Health: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
- Crochet and knitting projects can provide a calming, meditative activity to help declutter a space and reduce stress, in line with Catrin Davies' recommendation of turning cleaning into a mindful practice.
- Adopting a lifestyle approach that encompasses crafts like crochet, knitting, and home-and-garden DIY projects can contribute to creating a clutter-free living space, enhancing mental and physical health as suggested by the experts.
- A well-organized home, featuring a clean and tidy environment, may positively impact mental health, fostering feelings of peace and tranquility, similar to the calming visual appeal of a crochet or knitted piece.
- Engaging in a regular fitness-and-exercise routine can aid in improving one's emotional well-being and overall health, further complimenting the benefits of a decluttered living space and mindful crafts like knitting or crochet.
