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psychcentral.com
article
https://psychcentral.com/depression/messy-room-depression
Studies suggest that feeling surrounded by chaos can affect mental health. A 2016 study says that clutter harms overall well-being.
Research from 2020 found high levels of household disorganization in families led to poor cognitive, behavioral, and communication outcomes among adults and children. And a 2017 study found that an accumulation of clutter due to procrastination can lead to a large decrease in levels of life satisfaction. [...] But when it comes to depression, a lack of motivation doesn’t relate only to messy living spaces. It can also lead to losing interest in activities once enjoyed, such as socializing with friends and participating in hobbies. Someone might even lose motivation to maintain personal hygiene.
That is, you might wantto engage in certain actions but simply don’t have the emotional or physical energy to do so. [...] That is, letting dirty dishes sit for an hour or two while you finish that Netflix series is A-OK. But leaving the dishes to pile up for days (or even weeks) on end can lead to feelings of overwhelm and may even be connected to mental health conditions.
Research from 2020 has shown a link between messy rooms and depression. Signs of depression may include a lack of motivation, leading to an unkempt space.
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verywellmind.com
article
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-509…
When your home is cluttered, messy, or exceptionally dirty, the chaos that the mess creates can impact your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain's ability to process information. Visual attention and performance on visual tasks is better in situations where there is less distracting clutter. [...] In fact, for some people, the simple sight of a clean and organized home can help them unwind and de-stress even after an overwhelming day.
Evidence suggests that having a messy, cluttered environment can create stress and interfere with your ability to concentrate, at least for some people. The actual act of cleaning and decluttering can boost your mood, help you move your body more, improve focus, and help you feel more in control of your surroundings. [...] If you've ever felt stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed by a messy house, you likely understand the link between cleanliness and mental health. Cleaning up and decluttering can feel satisfying and even therapeutic.
When some people feel overwhelmed or stressed out, they might try yoga, mindfulness, or even a massage. For others, giving the shelves a quick dust, wiping down the kitchen, or even organizing the closet is just as beneficial for their mental health as using a mindfulness app.
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nuvancehealth.org
news
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…
If you’re constantly multitasking or exhausted, you might not have the energy or focus to clean up regularly. Mental health challenges, like depression, can also cause a lack of motivation to organize, leading to messy spaces. In short, a cluttered mind can create a cluttered environment. [...] When your surroundings are messy, your brain is constantly saying, “Look at this! And this! And don’t forget that!” — even if you’re not consciously paying attention to all of it. Over time, this constant sensory overload can increase mental fatigue. You might feel mentally fuzzy or irritable in a messy room, which is your brain’s way of signaling it’s overworked by the disorganization.
Related content: Tennis for brain health? The neuroscience of precision, strategy and flow [...] Studies have found people living in cluttered homes are more likely to experience insomnia and poor sleep quality. Stress and mental stimulation from clutter can keep the brain alert and uneasy, even at night. It’s hard for your mind to power down when it’s bombarded by signs of chaos or by racing thoughts about things you haven't done yet.
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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. [...] 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
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mhanational.org
article
https://mhanational.org/resources/creating-a-healthy-home-environment
Keeping your living space clean is shown to promote calmness and a sense of control over your day-to-day life. Your home environment doesn’t need to be spotless, but clutter can be harmful to your mental state – contributing to depression, trouble focusing, confusion, and stress. Not only can clutter be distracting, but it has been shown to actually make it harder for your brain to think clearly. Neatness also provides predictability, which can cut down on brain fatigue and anxiety. Less time [...] A big part of a mentally healthy living situation is feeling like your space gives you comfort, support, and calming energy. This could look like keeping comfort items around. Your favorite blanket, a meaningful gift, or a candle in your favorite scent can go a long way in helping you feel more at home. Your home can also impact your mental health based on colors, natural light, and set-up. Appropriate light, furnishing textures and patterns, and room organization can help reduce signs of
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webmd.com
article
https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-clutter-affects-health
## 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 [...] 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 more organized environment may make you more caring toward others. In one study, volunteers who filled out surveys in a neat room were more likely to say they wanted to donate to a charity compared with those who were questioned in a messy room.
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## Memory Issues
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sbtreatment.com
article
https://sbtreatment.com/blog/the-impact-a-clean-and-tidy-home-can-have-on-you…
If you’re not yet convinced that cleaning should be a part of your self-care routine, you might be interested in what the research has to say. A recent study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that clutter not only reduces psychological wellbeing but also decreases the feeling of psychological home, which can be described as the sense of belonging associated with your living space. Study authors described clutter as being an overabundance of physical possessions, which makes the [...] The above study is not the only report linking clutter to reduced psychological wellbeing. In fact, it is part of a growing body of research showing that clutter can contribute to stress, increased cortisol levels, and depression. Among teens and adolescents who live in clutter, the disorganized home environment is associated with lower academic performance and behavioral problems. Based upon the available research, it’s pretty clear that when a home becomes too untidy, it can negatively affect [...] What you may not imagine when it comes to mental health is the importance of maintaining a clean and tidy home. It turns out that the environment you live in can have a significant impact on your mental health status, so taking time to organize might just become a part of your self-care plan.
## How Clutter Affects Mental Health