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How clutter affects your brain health | Northwell Health

https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…

Research confirms people think more clearly, and even become less irritable and more productive, in an organized setting than in a cluttered one. By decluttering, you free up mental bandwidth. Decisions — even simple ones like what to have for dinner or which task to do first — come a bit easier when your brain isn’t constantly managing the excess stimuli and mental load that clutter creates. Related content: How to achieve physical, mental and emotional wellness for better overall health [...] Mind decluttering: Finally, since brain health is our goal, consider techniques to declutter your mind. Clearing your physical space often helps clear mental space, but you can also directly reduce mental clutter. Try doing a “brain dump” by writing down all those to-dos and worries swirling in your head — getting them on paper means your brain doesn’t have to hold them all at once. [...] Mental clutter is just as problematic for sleep. Have you ever laid in bed with your thoughts churning about tomorrow’s to-do list or replaying today’s events? That kind of mental clutter can keep you staring at the ceiling. Your brain needs some decluttering before bedtime, too, which is why strategies like journaling to get thoughts out of your head or brief meditation can help clear your mind for better sleep.

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extension.usu.edu research

The Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering

https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/the-mental-benefits-of-declut…

Relieve anxiety. When things are not organized or clean, it can often bring vast amounts of anxiety. You may feel constantly stressed, worried, or afraid of more clutter accumulating. To allow our minds to find some peace, decluttering can lift that weight and help us to think clearer and feel calmer. [...] Sharpen your focus. Clutter is very messy and chaotic, so it is no wonder that we can have a tough time focusing. When your space is de-cluttered, it is much easier to obtain a sharper focus because what you see is in a specific place. The sense of organization helps your mind to be on track to complete tasks. [...] directly reduce the stress that stems from the mess which can help us to feel happier, less anxious, and more confident in ourselves. Decluttering can also lead to the following mental health benefits:

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elcaminohealth.org article

Can Decluttering Improve Your Mental Health?

https://www.elcaminohealth.org/stay-healthy/blog/can-decluttering-improve-you…

Decluttering helps restore confidence and feelings of control. When people feel like their life is out of control or they are struggling with some uncertainties, cleaning can be a way to assert some control in their life. Cleaning gives people a sense of mastery and control over their environment. In fact, a study by the University of Connecticut found that in times of high stress, repetitive behaviors such as cleaning and organizing gives people a sense of control during a chaotic time. [...] Less clutter can reduce anxiety. Clutter represents unfinished business to the brain, which can be highly stressful for some people. This fact is especially true when people have significant concerns complicating their lives. Clutter and mess can create more stress and anxiety, but by cleaning, organizing, and reducing the clutter, people are able to take control of their environment and create a more relaxing environment that helps them focus better on the important or urgent issues they need [...] Less clutter can mean more energy and focus. Princeton University researchers discovered that clutter can make it difficult to focus on a particular task. The chaos that a messy home creates can impact your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain's ability to process information. If you're having trouble focusing on a project, you may want to try decluttering your workspace first. You might find that devoting just a few minutes to organizing your things and clearing away any mess

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webmd.com article

Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-decluttering

Still, the case for decluttering isn't clear-cut. Another study found that, while orderly environments are more linked to healthy choices, disorderly environments promote creativity and fresh ideas. If you value creativity, you may want to allow yourself to be a little messy in certain areas of your life. For most people, decluttering can promote productivity and improvements in mental and physical health. Benefits of decluttering include: [...] Better focus. Clutter makes it difficult to find what you need. It may also distract you. Getting rid of visual clutter can help you focus better on any task at hand. Higher self-esteem. When you have trouble staying organized, you may feel out of control. Improving your living space can restore feelings of competency and pride. [...] Logo for WebMD # Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering If you're looking for an easy way to reduce stress, decluttering your environment may be a good place to start. Getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer, happier, and more in control. A tidier space can make for a more relaxed mind. ## Benefits of Decluttering

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psychologytoday.com article

The Many Mental Benefits of Decluttering

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-resilient-brain/202302/the-many-m…

Clutter creates chaos, which impacts your ability to focus. It also limits your brain's capacity to process information. Clutter is a form of visual distraction, which increases cognitive overload and can reduce working memory. If your space is unorganized and filled with clutter it can be difficult to focus or concentrate. Research has shown that people are less irritable, less distracted, more productive, and better able to process information with an uncluttered and organized work area. [...] Decluttering increases self-worth, creates healthy habits, and boosts productivity. A clean and tidy home can also improve sleep, boost mood, and promote relaxation. ## More Energy and More Space [...] Not only is it hard to physically function in a cluttered space, but clutter bombards the mind with excessive stimuli. Addressing the heaps of paperwork, laundry, and thoughtfully organizing helps to calm the mind. ## Improve Mental Health Several studies show a correlation between disorganization, clutter, and mental health conditions, including, depression, anxiety, and stress. Messy environments can cause frustration, helplessness, and feeling overwhelmed.

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rightasrain.uwmedicine.org article

6 Tips to Declutter Your Home and Help Your Mental Health

https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/life/leisure/cleaning-and-mental-health

The one really important thing to remember during your cleaning and sorting: Be kind and patient with yourself. Especially when it comes to those really dark and difficult times, it’s important to allow yourself a little grace and stop carrying all the guilt and shame about not having the perfect space. “Keep your expectations reasonable and your goals small,” says Burns. “And when all else fails, toss things into the nearest obliging closet. You'll get to it later ... you always do.” [...] Though your focus may be on decluttering, there’s no harm in adding some beauty while you’re at it. Set aside some items you love or that make you feel happy (like your favorite photos, books or trinkets), and create what Burns refers to as a “highly visible vignette.” Then it won’t just be the tidy space that will bring you joy, it’ll also be the lovely view of the items that are most special to you. ### 6. Remember to cater to your other senses [...] "You know, fold and put away the laundry that’s been on the couch — your anxiety level drops at least a little bit, even if there's still plenty of existential crisis to indulge in,” says Browning. Acknowledging that you can’t control everything but that you can address some small things (like your living space) is a move in a positive direction for your well-being and stress management. After all, it feels good to fix something and cross something off your list, even if it's small.

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