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grandrisingbehavioralhealth.com
article
https://www.grandrisingbehavioralhealth.com/blog/the-impact-of-clutter-on-men…
Clutter can contribute to difficulty in focusing, as it tends to be distracting. Our brains have a limited capacity to process stimuli, and the presence of clutter can hinder clear thinking and effective work performance, particularly in home office environments. Research indicates that being surrounded by disorganization can negatively influence concentration levels and overall cognitive function (Verywell Mind). [...] Clutter can contribute to difficulty in focusing, as it tends to be distracting. Our brains have a limited capacity to process stimuli, and the presence of clutter can hinder clear thinking and effective work performance, particularly in home office environments. Research indicates that being surrounded by disorganization can negatively influence concentration levels and overall cognitive function (Verywell Mind). [...] Clutter in living or workspaces can significantly affect cognitive function, leading to difficulty focusing and increased procrastination. Understanding these effects can improve mental well-being.
### Difficulty Focusing
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nuvancehealth.org
news
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…
Studies have described clutter as a form of visual distraction that increases cognitive overload and even reduces working memory capacity. In other words, when your space (or your mind) is overloaded with extraneous stuff, it’s harder for your brain to hold on to the important pieces of information you need right now. You might find yourself forgetting things you just read or losing your train of thought more often in a messy environment. [...] Related content: Get better sleep with these top nutrients for sweet dreams
## Emotional toll of living in cluttered spaces
Living in constant clutter doesn’t only tax your brain’s cognitive abilities — it can also wear on you emotionally. Many people report feeling drained or defeated by the sight of a never-ending mess. There’s often a sense of guilt, “I should have cleaned this up by now,” and embarrassment, especially if someone drops by your house or office unexpectedly. [...] ## How clutter impacts your brain’s attention and focus
Clutter doesn’t just make a space look busy — it makes your mind busy. All those piles and objects in view act like little attention magnets for your brain. Even if you think you’re ignoring that stack of magazines on the table, your brain is still registering their presence on a subconscious level. That means fewer cognitive resources are left for the task you want to focus on.
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www1.racgp.org.au
news
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-does-clutter-do-to-your-brain-…
Bursting cupboards and piles of paper stacked around the house may seem harmless enough. But research shows disorganisation and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains.
Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus.
The visual distraction of clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory. [...] It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (including ones about other people decluttering their lives).
My own research shows our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions and subsequent behaviours, including our relationships with others.
Why clutter is bad for your brain [...] A Yale University study using fMRI showed that for people who have hoarding tendencies, discarding items can cause actual pain in regions of the brain associated with physical pain. Areas of the brain were activated that are also responsible for the pain you feel when slamming a finger in a door or burning your hand on the stove.
People who suspect they have hoarding disorder can take heart: cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment.
A
apa.org
news
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/clutter
So it’s an interesting link between procrastination and clutter, and we’ve published a few studies on that. One form of procrastination is decisional procrastination. That’s the cognitive form. Indecision is an interesting strategy that people use because they did some publications, experimental studies looking at is it a cognitive deficit? Is it that people who are indecisive just can’t make the decision? Or is it motivational? And of course, a variety of tasks, it came up motivational. So [...] My guest today is Dr. Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology and distinguished professor at DePaul University in Chicago. Dr. Ferrari studies the psychology of clutter, including why we accumulate it, how it affects our mental health, and the link between clutter and procrastination. He’s also well known for his research on the causes and consequences of procrastination, and is the author of several books on that subject for researchers, clinicians, and the general public. He has published [...] Deacon Joseph Ferrari, PhD, is a professor of psychology and Saint Vincent DePaul Distinguished Professor at DePaul University in Chicago. He is a leading expert on the study of chronic procrastination and, more recently, of clutter. Ferrari studies the psychology of clutter, including why we accumulate it, how it affects our mental health, and the link between clutter and procrastination. He has published more than 400 scholarly articles and 35 books and book chapters, and is a fellow in six
C
circlemedical.com
news
https://www.circlemedical.com/blog-post/how-decluttering-affects-the-brain
Digital environments can create similar attention challenges.
Research shows that smartphone presence, notifications, and digital interruptions can reduce available cognitive capacity for demanding tasks.
Too many open browser tabs, overflowing inboxes, and constant notifications can fragment attention. Reducing digital clutter, such as closing unused tabs or limiting notifications, may help the brain maintain focus during work or study. [...] Many people recognize this experience in everyday life. A messy desk can make it harder to concentrate, while clearing a counter or workspace can make thinking feel easier. Research shows that competing stimuli require the brain to allocate additional cognitive resources in order to prioritize relevant information. [...] As the environment becomes simpler, the brain receives fewer competing signals. Many people experience this as a greater sense of calm or control over their surroundings.
With fewer distractions, cognitive resources can be directed toward meaningful tasks.
That shift can support:
Clearer thinking
Creative problem solving
Deeper focus on meaningful work
Greater presence during conversations and daily activities
### Digital Clutter Also Competes for Cognitive Resources
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rmcad.edu
research
https://www.rmcad.edu/blog/psychology-of-clutter-designing-organized-and-stre…
## Understanding Clutter Psychology
Designers who understand the connection between clutter and mental health also understand the importance of designing functional spaces that smartly and comfortably accommodate the stuff of everyday life.
### How Clutter Impacts Cognition, Mood and Stress
Clutter has several impacts on and correlations with cognition, mood, stress and mental health, including: [...] Part of the reason why clutter feels overwhelming is that every item represents work that needs to be done and a choice that needs to be made — keep and relocate or discard and donate. All these decisions create a type of cognitive overload known as decision fatigue. Additionally, emotional attachment to items (whether due to sentimental or monetary value) further complicates each decision. [...] To learn more about studying interior design at RMCAD, we welcome you to request more information today.
## FAQs: Psychology of Clutter
### Q1: Why does clutter feel so stressful?
Visual excess competes for attention, increasing cognitive load and cortisol. Clear zones and limited palettes reduce stimuli so the brain can focus.
### Q2: Where should I start if everything feels overwhelming?
R
raybwilliams.medium.com
article
https://raybwilliams.medium.com/how-clutter-impairs-our-lives-and-cognitive-a…
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Member-only story
# How Clutter Impairs Our Lives and Cognitive Abilities
Ray Williams
Ray Williams
10 min read
·
Oct 27, 2024
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Most of us have lived through the following scenario or something like it. [...] In the kitchen, last night’s dishes tower precariously in the sink while your keys and wallet play hide-and-seek beneath a scatter of unopened mail, takeout menus, and your children’s art projects. Every surface tells a story of postponed decisions, of “I’ll deal with this later” promises piled up like the papers themselves. The morning’s chaos is a symphony of frustration — your daughter can’t find her favorite cereal bowl among the overcrowded cabinets. At the same time, your son’s homework [...] your son’s homework has vanished into the black hole of the living room coffee table.
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facebook.com
news
https://www.facebook.com/healthy.harbor1/posts/a-cluttered-environment-acts-l…
## Healthy Harbor's post
### Healthy Harbor
8 April ·
A cluttered environment acts like “visual noise” for the brain, making it harder to focus and increasing stress levels. Research in psychology and neuroscience shows that when spaces are messy, the brain has to process multiple competing stimuli, which drains mental energy and leads to cognitive overload. [...] This constant distraction can raise cortisol levels, keeping the body in a low-grade state of alertness and making it difficult to concentrate on tasks. On the other hand, cleaning and organizing both physical and digital spaces can reduce anxiety, improve information processing, and even enhance sleep quality, as a tidy environment signals calmness and control to the mind.
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Natascha Karine Heiduska
My clutter reminds me of everything like a mind map.. be lost and dull without it. 🐙..clutter is not mess
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