»5 Ways Decluttering Helps Your Mental Health«
Beyond making your home aesthetically pleasing, decluttering and cleaning have therapeutic benefits to your overall health. Sorting through your belongings and letting go of stuff that no longer sparks joy may seem like a tedious and time-consuming endeavor to take on. Still, it also has healing and fulfilling properties that makes it absolutely worth it.
If you’ve been putting off decluttering for a long time, this article is for you. Read on to be inspired and learn more about how it can work wonders for helping you improve your mental health and well-being.
- Lowers stress and anxiety
Coming home to a messy space after a long and exhausting day at work can contribute to higher stress levels. Several studies have made a strong relationship between clutter and stress and anxiety, with one study observing an increased cortisol level, the stress hormone, in women who have dirty and disorganized homes.
Seeing things scattered and in disarray can trigger overwhelming feelings that may lead you to believe your life is a mess and you’re not in control. On the contrary, staying in a clean and well-maintained space can make it easier to calm and quiet the mind. In addition, the process of decluttering and the act of cleaning itself is also an excellent mind and physical exercise to distract yourself from negative thoughts or emotions.
- Reduces depression risks and symptoms
For most people, clutter equals chaos. In addition, it can trigger depressive symptoms like mood swings, irritability, frustration, hopelessness, anger, and self-hate. Sometimes people with depression fall into a cycle of being physically unable to clean or regularly maintain their personal living spaces and then feeling even more depressed and even embarrassed for being in the situation. In this scenario, it’s best to reach out and ask for the help of a nonjudgmental friend, family, or cleaning company to jumpstart things for you. It’s also essential to seek the advice of a mental health professional to help you address, manage, and overcome your depression.
- Improves overall sleep quality
Sleep plays a pivotal role in your overall health and wellness, with the power to make or break you physically, emotionally, and mentally. One of the most incredible benefits of a clean home is that it can help you achieve a good night’s sleep. However, if your bedroom is in chaos and filled with clutter, it can be a struggle to soothe and slow down your mind to rest. In addition, if you’re suffering from asthma or allergies, airborne dust, dirt, and pet dander can also trigger a reaction that can affect your sleep quality.
- Increases focus and productivity
Clutter also negatively affects your ability to concentrate and create. It can be a major roadblock against optimum productivity and living your happiest and healthiest life. For example, it can be challenging to inspire yourself to prepare nutritious homecooked meals if your kitchen is always stinky and messy. Moreover, it can be impossible to zone out and be your most productive self if you’re working remotely and surrounded by unnecessary clutter, especially if you’re using your dining area as a makeshift home office.
So if you find yourself stuck in a rut about a work-related task, take a 10-minute break and challenge yourself to do a speed clean. Grab a basket and get rid of the eyesores and clutter on your work table and surrounding areas. Then, clean the surfaces with disinfecting wipes. By the time you’re done, you feel better, proud of what you’ve accomplished, and feel pumped to get to work.
- Boosts energy and motivation
Decluttering requires an immense amount of motivation to get things done. It’s a tedious process that may be daunting at first, but once you get started, you’ll realize it feels incredible, not so bad after all, and you’re on a roll to do more awesome things. It’ll give you a sense of accomplishment that’s so rewarding, inspiring, and empowering. It also builds your self-esteem and confidence.
»5 Ways Decluttering Helps Your Mental Health«