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grandrisingbehavioralhealth.com
article
https://www.grandrisingbehavioralhealth.com/blog/the-impact-of-clutter-on-men…
The presence of clutter in one's environment is strongly linked to stress and anxiety. Research indicates that the brain prefers order and "singletasking" over multitasking. A cluttered space can increase mental load and create competition for attention, affecting various aspects of life such as eating habits, productivity, parenting decisions, and even financial generosity. [...] Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is closely linked to the perception of clutter. Studies indicate that women, in particular, experience higher cortisol levels when surrounded by clutter. In fact, one recent study found that women in cluttered homes exhibited elevated cortisol levels throughout the day compared to those in more organized spaces. This chronic exposure to a disorganized environment can lead to a continuous low-grade fight-or-flight response, which poses risks to both [...] Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is closely linked to the perception of clutter. Studies indicate that women, in particular, experience higher cortisol levels when surrounded by clutter. In fact, one recent study found that women in cluttered homes exhibited elevated cortisol levels throughout the day compared to those in more organized spaces. This chronic exposure to a disorganized environment can lead to a continuous low-grade fight-or-flight response, which poses risks to both
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nuvancehealth.org
news
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…
A disorganized environment and a cluttered mind can overwhelm your brain, impair your focus, increase anxiety and stress, disturb your sleep and even dampen your mood and memory. The good news is, there are ways to manage your environment and thoughts to help reverse these effects.
Related content: Stressed out? Discover the effect of stress on the brain and ways to manage it.
## The neuroscience of clutter: why mess affects the brain [...] 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. [...] 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.
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neurosciencenews.com
news
https://neurosciencenews.com/anxiety-stress-messy-home-23874
Take comfort in research suggesting that while disorganised environments can make us susceptible to stress and poor decision-making, your mindset can buffer you against these vulnerabilities.
If clutter, perfectionism or anxiety has begun to seem unmanageable, talk with your GP about a referral to a psychologist. The right psychologist (and you may need to try a few before you find the right one) can help you cultivate a life driven by values that are important to you. [...] Research suggests the detrimental effects of mess and clutter may be more pronounced in women than in men.
One study of 60 dual-income couples found women living in cluttered and stressful homes had higher levels of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) and heightened depression symptoms. [...] ## 3 Comments
The correlation between anxiety and a messy home is a topic that hits close to home for many of us. This article does a great job of shedding light on the link between our mental well-being and our living environment.
It’s fascinating to see how our external surroundings can have such a profound impact on our internal state of mind. As someone who has experienced the stress of a cluttered living space, I can attest to the truth of these findings.
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sagetherapy.com
news
https://www.sagetherapy.com/post/clearing-the-chaos-how-clutter-affects-our-m…
## The Mental Health Clutter Cycle
Research shows a strong link between clutter and mental well-being. A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people who described their homes as cluttered or unfinished were more likely to experience higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Clutter can overstimulate the brain, making it harder to focus and process information. It can also contribute to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and even shame. [...] 4. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Avoid perfectionism by focusing on progress rather than trying to achieve a perfectly organized space. Any progress you make will have a positive impact on your mental health, even if the space isn’t fully decluttered yet.
5. Create a “To-Do” List
Write down the steps you want to take for decluttering, breaking them into bite-sized tasks. Having a clear plan can help reduce the anxiety of wondering where to start or what to do next. [...] Be mindful about the purpose behind decluttering. Remind yourself that creating space in your physical environment can help reduce mental clutter, which in turn can ease stress and anxiety.
8. Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care
If you start to feel mentally or physically exhausted, take breaks. Go for a walk, hydrate, or simply rest. Decluttering isn’t a race, and it’s important to pace yourself and care for your mental health throughout the process.
9. Celebrate Small Wins
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highlandhosp.com
article
https://highlandhosp.com/how-clutter-impacts-health
People who are embarrassed by the appearance of their home may be less likely to invite guests over, which can increase their sense of isolation. This may partially explain why hoarding often overlaps with depression and anxiety.
Memory issues can result from sensory overload, which can be triggered or exacerbated by a messy space. [...] One study found that women who perceived their homes as cluttered had heightened levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with chronic stress.
People with more clutter expressed less general satisfaction with their lives in another study.
It is more difficult to focus in an untidy space, especially if you have ADHD. [...] Obligations pile up that temporarily prevent us from keeping our living space tidy. In fact, about 55 percent of Americans find themselves stressed out by the clutter in their homes. Most of us handle this stress by cleaning on a somewhat regular basis, but when clutter is left unchecked, it can become problematic to the point of threatening our health.
### Physical Impact
Having a cluttered space can place our physical well-being at risk:
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apa.org
news
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/clutter
years, psychologist research has begun to find that living and working in cluttered spaces causes stress and anxiety and can harm both our mental health and our productivity.
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webmd.com
article
https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-clutter-affects-health
When everything is in order, you know exactly where you put your glasses and keys so you can grab them and go on with your day. That saves time and a whole lot of hassle. In one study, women who saw their homes as cluttered had high levels of the stress hormone cortisol throughout the day, while those who described their abode as a well-organized, restful space had lower levels.
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## It Doesn’t Get Easier [...] A neat, tidy house feels inviting, both for the people who live there as well as guests. A cluttered home may feel the opposite. But shutting people out can take a toll on relationships and make you feel sad and lonely. That could be one reason a hoarding disorder tends to overlap with depression and anxiety disorders.
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## Slips and Falls [...] ## Too Much Stuff
If your closets are bursting or your desk is topped with piles of disorganized papers, you may want to take some steps toward a neater home or workspace. While a bit of chaos might have some upsides -- at least one study suggests that a messy room spurs creativity -- it has many more downsides. It can even be damaging for your physical and mental health.
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## Mess Equals Stress
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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9216699
## , including negative emotional state, i.e., experiencing feelings of anxiety, fear or anger. Since parents may perceive chaotic home environments as uncertain and disorganized, due to an excess of interminable stimuli such as noise and clutter, household chaos might cause negative emotions in parents, which, in turn, could affect parenting. Indeed, household chaos has been related to negative emotions and conflicts . Moreover, higher levels of parental negative emotions are associated with a [...] has demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity, and has been proven to be sensitive to fluctuations in anxiety levels over time . In the current study, internal consistency ranged between α=0.66 - 0.78. Both the PANAS negative affect scale and the STAI were log-transformed with base 10. Because of the high correlations between the two scales (_r_=0.52 - 0.77, _p_<.001), they were combined into one negative emotional state score by computing unweighted mean scores. [...] Second, it is possible that the videotaping elicited such a stress response in the participants already that it overshadowed the effects of chaos on stress levels. Being videotaped has been used with the goal of eliciting stress in participants, e.g., when performing the Trier Social Stress Test . Nonetheless, there is evidence that infant behavior such as crying, elicits an ANS stress response [24,35], as well as a negative emotional state . In addition, if being videotaped was the predominant