Stop holding on to old things and declutter. Living in new into your home, remove one old item. Ask yourself: let it go. Try not to get
## Decluttering makes managing a home easier If nothing else, decluttering can help your stress and anxiety because it makes managing your home super easy. When you declutter, you have less stuff to pick-up and put away. You can see your counter-tops, you have systems in place, and everything seems to have a “home”. No more orphaned items taking up space! [...] Decluttering didn’t cure my anxiety, but having a clutter-free home has greatly reduced my anxiety and stress. There’s a good chance decluttering can help you too if you’re dealing with anxiety or stress. Our first big declutter was when my two children were fairly young. I was a very busy mom, working full time outside the home, with a traveling spouse. Life was not always easy. Home management was nothing short of impossible many days. [...] Sometimes, our homes create so much work for us that we don’t get to enjoy them as a place to relax and spend time with our family. When you declutter, you get to reduce the anxiety and stress in your life by taking back control over some elements of chaos. Decluttering won’t solve all your problems. However, sometimes, it gives you that sense of control that is craved whenever everything else seems so crazy. Related Post: 5 Real Health Benefits to Owning Less
Improved lifestyle and well-being. It's easier to prepare healthy meals in an orderly kitchen. And most people sleep better in a neat room with a tidy bed. ## Tips for Decluttering Your Spaces You'll enjoy the mental health benefits of decluttering more if you make the process low-stress. Use these tips for decluttering: [...] 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 [...] Build in structure. If you invite friends over for dinner, you'll be motivated to declutter your kitchen. If you schedule someone to take your unneeded items, you'll have a target date for completing your decluttering. Make sure you allow some extra time, as decluttering can take longer than you expect. Don't strive for perfection. There's no need to hide items that you use a lot. Also, try not to judge your spaces against those of other people. ## Difficulties With Decluttering
Whether someone is dealing with depression or is simply overwhelmed, we often use a technique called behavioral activation, which involves purposefully engaging in achievable activities to improve mood. This approach has been borne out in research; one study even suggests that cleaning can help alleviate stress, even when the stressor has nothing to do with the clutter. Spring cleaning is a great example of behavioral activation. [...] I’m actually a big fan of Marie Kondo’s advice on tidying up, which involves donating or getting rid of items that you don’t have an emotional connection to. Her technique reminds me of a concept we have within dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), called “wise mind,” which is when we simultaneously use our rational and emotional minds to make a decision. In this case, paying better attention to the emotional reaction we have in response to our items can help people who are feeling stuck come [...] Someone dealing with significant stressors in their work or life may actively choose to let things at home go untended for a while to focus on more important issues. Physical limitations can also prevent someone from organizing their space as they usually would, which could increase distress, anxiety, and depression for those who are already grappling with these limitations.
I’m not saying never to save things you might use in the future, but this self-examination can help loosen the grip of old patterns that unconsciously drive our behavior. Until my recent decluttering, I hadn’t even thought twice about the 20 extra toothbrushes sitting in my bathroom cabinet. Keeping a few toothbrushes and letting go of the rest felt freeing and created precious space both physically and mentally. [...] Print Bookmark Several months ago, I spent some time decluttering my house by going through papers, clothing, kitchen stuff, personal items—everything Beyond creating a more satisfying space, I discovered some surprising effects on my psychological well-being. Along the way, I was able to cultivate inner resources such as gratitude, satisfaction, mindfulness, non-attachment, and other qualities that emerged from this process. Woman folding clothes on her bed next to a box marked Charity [...] Using these six steps to declutter invites the opportunity not only for cleaner spaces but also for growing inner resources helpful in life: letting go of clinging, craving, and the need to have more; feeling more satisfaction (and recognizing our human tendency to overconsume in many areas of our life); practicing gratitude and appreciation, non-attachment, impermanence, and generosity; prioritizing what is truly important; and approaching tasks in a way that builds momentum and intrinsic
I've noticed a pattern in myself where when I get really stressed out and overwhelmed I'll do some major decluttering.Read more
How do you declutter from stress?