Decluttering and organization have numerous positive effects on mental health. When your surroundings are clean and organized, your brain, no longer concerned about the surrounding mess, finds it easier to focus and be productive.
What Happens to Your Mental Health When You Organize Your Home?
Organization and decluttering can have a considerable impact on your mental health. It can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed by reducing the stimuli our brains need to process. According to a study by Dr. Sabine Kastner of Princeton University, our brains are not good at blocking clutter. Working in a cluttered space makes it harder for your brain to focus on the task at hand.
According to a UCLA study, how we describe our homes affects our moods, so keeping our spaces neat and clean can significantly improve our moods. The bigger the mess, the more stressed and unhappy we are likely to become.
How to Start Decluttering and Organizing Your Home
Decluttering is the process of removing unnecessary things from your space. It can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
Start with one room at a time. Ensure you have enough boxes or bins to hold all of the items you want to keep and make sure that they are labeled to know what goes in each box or bin.
Take everything out of the room and start sorting by category: clothes, books, kitchen supplies, etc. Once everything is sorted out, take each category outside the room and put them in their respective boxes or bins.
When it comes to getting rid of old possessions, those that no longer provide much value should be discarded first. Unless an object brings you a sense of joy, holds fond memories for your life or is a possession worth holding on to, it’s time to let go.
You can get rid of your unwanted items in numerous ways:
- Donating to a charity shop;
- Selling your possessions online;
- Taking your possessions to a recycling center.
Decluttering and Essentialism
Decluttering is not about getting rid of everything in your home or office; it’s about getting rid of the things that don’t serve any purpose in your life. As you declutter, remember to be mindful of how different items make you feel. There is more to decluttering than just tossing things out.
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown lays out a guide on living a more fulfilling life by decluttering and simplifying. The author argues that we should focus on life’s essentials and eliminate the clutter. By focusing on what is essential, we create more meaningful relationships with our possessions. In addition, by eliminating distractions, our lives become more simple, and our brains will process information quicker.
A Parting Reminder
Decluttering and organization have numerous positive effects on mental health. When your surroundings are clean and organized, your brain, no longer concerned about the surrounding mess, finds it easier to focus and be productive. Decluttering is not just about throwing away your old clothes or unwanted items; it’s about getting rid of the mental clutter we all carry around with us.
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