How Home Organization Can Reduce Anxiety and Improve Your Mental Health
Did you know your unfinished project or your untidy cupboard can cause actual stress and harm to your mental health? Several studies have found that the clutter we create at home becomes unmanageable which creates feelings of failure. One scientist studied how when asked to describe their home, those who used words such as “cluttered” or “unfinished” had higher levels of cortisol which causes depressed mood and anxiety. YIKES! Read on about how an organized home helps you control your anxiety and lead a healthier and happier life.
1. The outside reflects the inside
You know how they say, you are what you eat? Actually – you are where you live! It has been suggested that clutter and mess in your surroundings can be a visual representation of your mind. If there are too many things happening internally, there are physical manifestations of it, like too many tabs open in your browser or the pile of bills and letters that need to be sorted. But, what’s more interesting is that when you do remove the stimuli, i.e. declutter and organize, it makes focusing easier! Whether you spend time sorting yourself or hire a professional organizer, a tidy home can do wonders to calm down your brain and create the zen you’re looking for.
2. It helps you save time and money
You’re running out the door and you can’t find keys, you’re now 20 minutes late for that important meeting. Or, you’re looking for the ink cartridge you know you bought, but you can’t find it anywhere, so you have to go buy another one. When you don’t have a ‘home’ for all of your belongings, you spend more time looking for items, usually in emergency situations, which can create stress and tension on a daily basis. It wastes time and can be costly if you keep buying new things to replace the things you can’t find. Knowing what is where helps you reduce anxiety and remain on top of your game.
3. Clutter makes it hard to sleep
This may be a big one, and I hate to break it to you, but a untidy bedroom room makes it harder to sleep. But, don’t worry, one simple step you can start with is making your bed in the morning. The ritual will help you prepare for the day and will also make bedtime more pleasant. To truly gain the benefits, create a clean, organized room as your oasis. In fact, 62% of sleepers found that they feel more relaxed and sleep better in a tidy bedroom. A sleep expert suggests, “When we're surrounded by messes, then everything feels chaotic and it's harder for our brains to shut off. We're biologically wired to produce chemicals to keep us awake if we're surrounded by chaos.”
4. It feels nice to be organized
While there may not be a lot of research, but we KNOW the little bursts of serotonin we receive when seeing a perfectly organized cupboard or when the spice drawer looks juuuust right. There is no denying it, organization feels good. There is research however that it also helps us feel accomplished and in control. These are all great emotions that combat feelings of anxiety and depression that can creep into our lives.
5. It helps you do more of the other things that improve your mental health
Having an organized home will make it infinitely easier to do the other things help improve our mental health, such as going to therapy, exercising, eating well, and mediating. follow through on your other wellness-related goals. Having an organized kitchen, for example, makes it more likely that we will prepare healthier meals and grab the healthier snacks. Having a designated place for your workout gear, will make it easier to find those things, put them on, and actually do your workout. Having an organized home also affects your ability to have an organized schedule, so that you can manage going to therapy, attending courses you love, and whatever else brings you joy and reduces your anxiety.
Given the uncertainty in the world, along with our increasing pace of life, it is not surprising that more and more people are experiencing anxiety. And instead of tackling it, we are often paralyzed by our surroundings. Creating a home that is a clean and organized oasis can be the breakthrough required to help you reduce anxiety and face challenges head on. So reach out to see how we might be able to help you with this step! You can schedule a 15 minute consultation with us to find out more.
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