Having less items cluttering around me caused less items to stimulate stress in me and ultimately helped reduce my anxiety. However, that didn't ...Read more
This means that to reduce anxiety and improve your well-being, it’s important to figure out the stressors in your life and environment that you do have control over and how you can work on them so that your overall anxiety can go down. Which is where Browning thinks that something like tidying your house can come into play. [...] "Our brains don’t really differentiate large existential crisis anxiety from the unfolded laundry on your couch anxiety,” says Browning. “It becomes just kind of these large ambient experiences of anxiety.” [...] Not only that, but it can also increase feelings of stress and anxiety. It's difficult to relax in an environment where your brain is distracted by the things around you that need to be done, put away, cleaned or reset. It’s like a constant reminder of the tasks you need to do, which can then overwhelm you into doing nothing. Anne Browning, PhD, chief well-being officer at the UW School of Medicine, agrees that your mind, to some degree, can parallel your space.
##### Why Routines are Important for Mental Health Maintain good mental health with daily routines. Dr. Solhkhah shares simple routines to reduce stress and anxiety. Learn more and schedule an appointment today. Man dealing with anxiety ##### Drugs & Alcohol Are No Way to Cope Heightened anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of harmful behaviors, not least among them the increased use of drugs and alcohol. ##### What to Do When Coping Skills Don’t Work [...] 1. Decrease stress and anxiety. Clutter can cause stress and anxiety. By decluttering your space, you create a more calming environment that can improve your overall mood. 2. Increase focus. It can be difficult to focus when clutter is all around you. By decluttering and organizing your space, you create a more peaceful environment that helps you stay focused and productive. [...] Manage anxiety and stress? Dr. Markarian offers coping skills and strategies for better emotional well-being. Find support and resources now.
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: [...] 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. [...] There is something to be said about having a clean and organized work or living space. According to a study by Princeton University, researchers discovered that our environment can positively or negatively impact our ability to complete tasks as well as our overall mental health. If the physical space around us feels scattered, it’s likely our mental space will feel the same. A study by the University of Connecticut found that by removing or controlling clutter, we can directly reduce the
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 [...] Better relationships. Conflict with family or roommates often occurs when one person can't control clutter. Also, you may be more comfortable inviting friends into your home when it's tidy. Lower risk of asthma and allergies. You may think your house is messy but not dirty. But it's hard to clean around piles of belongings. Decluttering can prevent pests and reduce dust, mold, and mildew, which may trigger asthma and allergies. [...] 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:
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. [...] Self Assessments Autism Test Borderline Personality Disorder Test Depression Test Emotional Intelligence Test Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test Introversion / Extroversion Test Narcissism Test OCD Test Psychopathy Test Self-Esteem Test Sex Personality Test Your Mental Health Today Test See All Self Tests Quizzes [...] Depression Essential Reads The loop runs whether you notice it or not. Why “Likes” Hit Harder When You’re Depressed Anger and Depression: Addressing the Links Between Them If clutter is overwhelming you or you are experiencing anxiety or depression, either causing clutter or due to out-of-control clutter, a therapist can help. You are not alone. There is help and hope. There is a way. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory. References