This suggests that doing laundry may be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety levels. The study suggest that doing laundry can be
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The study, which involved over 50 participants, found that those who were given a laundry-folding task had lower levels of cortisol (a stress
Ask your favorite AI about this article ### Depression and the clutter cycle When someone experiences depression, even small tasks can feel insurmountable. Sorting through a pile of mail or putting away laundry requires motivation and energy that depression actively depletes. This reduced capacity leads to accumulation, which then triggers shame and self-criticism, further deepening depressive symptoms. [...] Research shows that clutter creates visual chaos that overwhelms the brain's processing capacity. When we're surrounded by disorganized items, our cortisol levels can increase, and our ability to focus diminishes. The brain interprets clutter as unfinished business, creating a persistent low-level stress response. This constant stimulation can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, and increased anxiety symptoms. [...] Research consistently shows that women experience stronger stress responses to household clutter than men. Studies measuring cortisol levels reveal that women living in cluttered homes maintain elevated cortisol throughout the day. Men in the same households often show no such pattern. This disparity raises an obvious question: can clutter cause anxiety more intensely for one gender than another? The answer lies not in biology but in social context. ### The weight of invisible expectations
of the manipulation check items (how clean the visualized experience felt and how much it involved touching oneself), only clean feelings significantly predicted lower anxiety (β = −0.1215, _SE_ = 0.0353, _t_(295) = −3.437, _p_ = .0007) and lower tension (β = −0.1693, _SE_ = 0.0344, _t_(299) = −4.924, _p_ = 1.41e−06), whereas touch involvement did not significantly predict anxiety (β = 0.0550, _SE_ = 0.0375, _t_(295) = 1.469, _p_ = .1429) and predicted higher tension (β = 0.0759, _SE_ = 0.0369, [...] Did watching the handwashing clip (vs. nonwashing clips) reduce residual effects of the stress-inducing physical scene? As predicted (Figure 1), the pictorial measure of anxiety differed significantly between the three conditions (_p_ = .003). It was lower after the handwashing clip than the circle-drawing clip (_p_ = .002) or the egg-peeling clip (_p_ = .002) or both combined (_p_ = .001), which did not differ from each other (_p_ = .814). The verbal measure of tension did not differ [...] Visually simulated experience of cleaning behavior reduced residual anxiety from a stress-inducing physical scene. The manipulation involved mere visual simulation, with effect sizes (_d_ s = 0.205 and 0.141) in the expected small range by traditional standards (J. Cohen, 1988) and comparable with those in contemporary preregistered between-subjects research (Schäfer & Schwarz, 2019). The effect was observed and replicated on a pictorial measure of anxiety derived from basic emotional
Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered. A chronically cluttered home environment can lead to a constant low-grade fight or flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival. [...] Charity groups such as St Vincent de Paul are reporting a 38% increase in donations, year on year, as we get rid of the clothes, books and household items that don’t ‘spark joy’ or have a place in our future. And there is good reason to get on board, whether it’s via the KonMari method, or just having a good clear-out. Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus. [...] And surprisingly, it doesn’t go away when we finally get to bed. People who sleep in cluttered rooms are more likely to have sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and being disturbed during the night. Clutter-hero.jpg People have been found to produce more stress hormones when they are surrounded by clutter. Could clutter really make us overweight? Multiple studies have found a link between clutter and poor eating choices.
If a messy room has ever made you feel anxious or stressed out, you’re not alone — and there’s a biological reason for it. Clutter can trigger a stress response in the body. For example, a study found women who described their homes as “cluttered” had significantly higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol throughout the day. Your brain releases cortisol when you’re under pressure; consistently elevated levels suggest the untidy environment genuinely taxed these women’s brains and bodies. [...] Related content: How inflammation in the body affects your health Clutter-induced stress can often become a difficult cycle to break. Disorganization can cause anxiety because you feel pressured by the constant visual reminder of things left undone or disorganized. This in turn makes it harder to muster the energy and focus to clean up the clutter. [...] Meanwhile, the clutter remains, or grows, adding to your stress and anxiety the next time you confront it. You can see how quickly this feedback loop spirals: Clutter creates stress, and stress prevents us from clearing the clutter. But you can break out of this loop — keep reading for tips. Related content: The neuroscience and health benefits of experiencing awe and wonder ## How clutter effects information processing in the brain
Laundry washing strategies predictive of stress levels. All at once or a little at a time? Why your approach to chores matters.
My (23f) partner (23) has put off doing laundry for months. Their clothes are starting to smell, so I gently told them it was probably time to do laundry again.