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calm.com
article
https://www.calm.com/blog/clutter-mental-health
Increased stress and anxiety: Studies have found that living in a cluttered space may raise stress levels, as it’s harder to unwind when surrounded by reminders of things left undone.
Reduced focus and productivity: Clutter makes it challenging to focus on specific tasks, as our brains get distracted by the visual noise around us. [...] When a space is cluttered, it can create feelings of overwhelm, stress, and even shame. The constant reminder of unfinished tasks and decisions that need to be made can make it hard to relax or focus. It can also impact self-esteem, making us feel embarrassed or stuck, especially when clutter starts to interfere with our social lives. So, clutter isn’t just an inconvenience. For many of us, it’s also a mental health issue. [...] Anxiety: This can make it harder to let go of items, as people may worry that they’ll need something later or feel uncertain about making decisions.
ADHD: People with ADHD often find it challenging to stay organized and maintain routines.
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reachlink.com
article
https://www.reachlink.com/advice/anxiety/clutter-and-anxiety
When examining clutter and mental health statistics across multiple studies, a consistent pattern emerges. Research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and related investigations suggest that cluttered environments correlate with cortisol elevations ranging from 18 to 25 percent compared to organized spaces. This aggregated data represents findings across diverse populations and measurement methods. [...] People with anxiety disorders often experience heightened sensitivity to their surroundings. Research on anxiety disorders and environmental factors supports the connection between environmental conditions and anxiety symptoms. A cluttered space can trigger overwhelm responses, making it difficult to relax or focus. [...] For some people, the relationship between clutter and anxiety points to something more complex. When organizing efforts consistently fail to bring relief, or when shame spirals accompany every glance at a cluttered space, these patterns may signal that deeper issues are at play. Warning signs include persistent anxiety that remains even after decluttering, avoiding having people over due to embarrassment, difficulty completing daily tasks because of environmental overwhelm, or feeling
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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. [...] and clutter. So the more clutter you have, the lower people report life satisfaction. Greater the stress. So here we are living in this consumer culture, but more and more, more. Buy, buy, buy. Well, you’re actually not living a good complete life because you’ll be less satisfied. [...] ## Episode 227
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all your stuff? If so, you're not alone. In recent years, a thriving decluttering industry has sprung up to help us deal with our ever-accumulating piles of things. Dn. Joseph Ferrari, PhD, of DePaul University, talks about why we accumulate so much stuff and why we find it so hard to deal with it; what the research says about clutter, stress, and anxiety; and the best ways to get started clearing the clutter in your home.
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neurosciencenews.com
news
https://neurosciencenews.com/anxiety-stress-messy-home-23874
## 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. [...] Neuroscience News logo for mobile.
Neuroscience News Logo
This shows a very messy room.
# Why Household Mess Triggers Stress and Anxiety
Summary: The presence of clutter can often lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. The brain tends to favor order, reducing the competition for attention and mental load.
While clutter affects many, women may experience heightened stress levels due to societal expectations and roles. [...] 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.
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youtube.com
video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI0_qxdcX8M
Clutter can be a HUGE trigger for anxiety! a cluttered home can equal a cluttered mind and when that's happening it's hard to find calm.
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nuvancehealth.org
news
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…
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. [...] 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. [...] When you walk into a chaotic kitchen or trip over clutter on the floor, your brain registers that disarray as a source of stress. It might not be a saber-toothed tiger, but your ancient fight-or-flight mechanisms still kick in with a mild sense of alarm: Something’s not right here. Over time, living in a state of chronic low-grade stress can contribute to anxiety, heightened cortisol, inflammation in the body and even depression.
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facebook.com
news
https://www.facebook.com/groups/declutteringandorganizingtipsandtricks/posts/…
Decluttering reduces mental stress and anxiety, with many finding it improves focus, mood, and overall well-being.
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webmd.com
article
https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-clutter-affects-health
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 [...] 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 [...] If you're a bit scatterbrained because your space is scattered, don't wait to neaten up. Research has shown that adults in their 50s who have too many piles of stuff are more likely than younger folks to put off making decisions about what to get rid of. The study also found that those piles can make you less satisfied with your life.
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## Your Mind Wanders