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nuvancehealth.org
news
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…
Research confirms people think more clearly, and even become less irritable and more productive, in an organized setting than in a cluttered one. By decluttering, you free up mental bandwidth. Decisions — even simple ones like what to have for dinner or which task to do first — come a bit easier when your brain isn’t constantly managing the excess stimuli and mental load that clutter creates.
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Giving [...] By managing both your surroundings and your mental state, you create a positive cycle of productivity and calmness.
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realsimple.com
article
https://www.realsimple.com/clutter-mental-health-11884726
Regardless of where you are in your decluttering journey, know that the goal isn’t a spotless space. “A perfectly tidy home isn’t necessary for good mental health,” Steele-Wren says. “What really matters is having a space that soothes rather than stresses you.” Ronyak offers a similar sentiment, sharing that mental wellness is about feeling internally at ease. Instead, the point at which you’ve decluttered “enough” is when your space truly feels safe and relaxing.
## Related Articles [...] But as clutter worsens, so can your mental health. This is true even if you’ve trained yourself to ignore the mess. Clutter can also make it difficult to feel relaxed in your space, which is the last thing you want at home. We asked experts to explain how clutter affects your mental and emotional health, along with practical tips for decluttering.
## The Science Behind Clutter [...] But one thing’s for sure: It’s not about laziness or a lack of motivation, points out therapist Stephanie Steele-Wren, PsyD, HSPP. “It’s more that when life’s demands outpace our mental capacity, our living spaces can start to feel neglected,” she says, adding that she views clutter as a sign of mental overload rather than a character flaw.
## How Does Clutter Affect Your Mental Health?
### It increases cognitive load.
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sagetherapy.com
news
https://www.sagetherapy.com/post/clearing-the-chaos-how-clutter-affects-our-m…
Close up of open chest drawers with drop-down clothes and piles of clothes around in a mess
### Clearing the Chaos: How Clutter Affects Our Mental Health
LCPC [...] style" and "this room looks like a tornado hit it," and ways to tidy up that actually honor your unique brain. [...] At the same time, mental health challenges can make clutter harder to manage. Depression can sap motivation and energy, anxiety can turn decision-making into a minefield, and conditions like ADHD can make sustained organization feel nearly impossible. This cycle can create a feedback loop — mental health impacts clutter, and clutter impacts mental health — that feels tough to break.
## Clutter vs. Style: Embracing What Feels Good
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verywellmind.com
article
https://www.verywellmind.com/decluttering-our-house-to-cleanse-our-minds-5101511
# How Clutter and Mental Health Are Connected
Kristen Fuller
Kristen Fuller:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/KristenFullerAuthorPhotoCropped-bb9db104a61d4df6a0368533fc9c5268.jpg)
Kristen Fuller is a physician, a successful clinical mental health writer, and author. She specializes in addiction, substance abuse, and eating disorders. [...] Illustration of a person's mental state before and after decluttering:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/decluttering-our-house-to-cleanse-our-minds-5101511_final1-52c069e7a52046209468e9ddd1558f43.png) [...] Clutter can even be digital—maybe you never get around to clearing out your email inbox or organizing the documents on your laptop. Just looking at the amount of files you have on your computer might overwhelm you.
## Impact of Clutter on Mental Health
Clutter impacts your physical space in an obvious way; but some people don't realize that clutter can have negative mental health effects, too.
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apa.org
news
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/clutter
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 [...] 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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www1.racgp.org.au
news
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-does-clutter-do-to-your-brain-…
Clutter-hero.jpg
clutter disorder organisational behaviour
| | |
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| Yes, definitely | |
| | 89% |
| Yes, to some extent | |
| | 7% |
| No | |
| | 2% |
| Unsure | |
| | 0% |
# Mental health encounters on the rise in general practice
# Mental health of the nation: Productivity Commission to investigate mental health spending
# ‘I’ve seen it be extremely debilitating’
# The potentially long-lasting effects of concussion [...] Buying more and more things we think we need, and then not getting rid of them, is an actual disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM–V). According to DSM–V, those with hoarding disorder compulsively acquire possessions on an ongoing basis and experience anxiety and mental anguish when they are thrown away. [...] In 2011, neuroscience researchers using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and other physiological measurements found clearing clutter from the home and work environment resulted in a better ability to focus and process information, as well as increased productivity.
And your physical and mental health
S
stilwellmemorial.com
article
https://stilwellmemorial.com/healthy-living/the-impact-of-clutter-on-physical…
Our emotions and mental health can be impacted by clutter in various ways, including: [...] types of biopsies
Life can get busy, and we all find ourselves feeling a bit disorganized sometimes. Over half of Americans find themselves stressed out by untidy spaces in their homes. The stress that clutter causes can be handled with a quick cleanup, usually. But if clutter is left unchecked, it can have a detrimental effect on our emotional health as well as our physical health.
## How Clutter Affects Our Physical Health [...] Fall risks, if items or piles of papers or books are lying about.
Allergies may be exacerbated due to a buildup of dust minutes, dander, mold, etc.
Furniture or objects are more likely to fall if overloaded with items. This can cause damage to property as well as to your person.
Paper, books, and magazines in excess can increase the risk of fire both by providing fuel for flames as well as by blocking exit pathways.
## How Clutter Affects Our Emotional Health
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webmd.com
article
https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-clutter-affects-health
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Himalayan Salt Lamps [...] ## 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 [...] ## Slips and Falls
Living with lots of clutter puts you at risk of getting injured. When your floor is covered with boxes, heaps of clothing, or even too much furniture, it's that much easier to trip. Shelves stuffed to the brim with books and knickknacks can also be a hazard if something falls off or a piece of overloaded furniture topples over.
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## Neatness and Generosity