A disorganised, cluttered environment can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and even depression. Conversely, creating a clutter-free space
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 [...] 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: [...] Boost your mood and help improve your physical health. The ability to complete physical activity while organizing can enhance creativity by allowing the mind to wander. Letting our mind go a little as we organize our clutter can help us relax mentally while our body is staying active. The combination of the two can boost our mood because we feel less stressed about what once was clutter, and we feel accomplished after seeing the progress!
### Reclaiming Your Peace Resetting your space is not just about having a clean home—it is about reclaiming your peace of mind. A clutter-free space fosters a clutter-free mind, allowing you to move through life with more intention and ease. Are you ready to transform your space and your mental health? At Quality Counseling, we help you navigate life’s challenges, including creating environments that support your emotional well-being. [...] ### How Clutter Impacts Mental Health A cluttered home can impact how we feel on a daily basis. It serves as a visual reminder of unfinished tasks, unmet goals, and chaos, creating feelings of anxiety, frustration, and even overwhelm. For many of us, our homes are supposed to be places where we can let go of the pressures of the outside world. But when our homes feel out of control, our mental health can suffer. [...] Soft Lighting: Use warm lights or candles to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Textures and Comfort: Add cozy blankets, pillows, or rugs to make your space inviting. Cultural Art and Scents: Decorate with culturally meaningful art or use scents like lavender, sage, or palo santo to ground yourself. These small touches help your home reflect who you are while nurturing mental clarity and emotional balance. ### Tips for Maintaining a Clutter-Free Space
### Research shows that clutter can negatively impact your mental health. ### Removing or lessening clutter can help you reduce stress, improve your diet and even lose weight. ### Mental health professionals at Swedish can help patients address issues around clutter. [...] Clutter is visually distracting. The sheer number of objects in your field of vision can affect your ability to concentrate on one thing at a time, even if you think you're multitasking efficiently. According to a study by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, clutter overloads the visual cortex and interferes with its ability to process information. When you cut the clutter, you're able to think and work efficiently, enabling you to spend less time on tasks, both at home and on the job. That [...] The stress triggered by your clutter may also trigger coping mechanisms like overeating “comfort foods,” according to a Cornell University study from 2016. A psychological experiment conducted at the University of Minnesota likewise found that while disorder can sometimes spur creativity, a messy room was likely to lead to eating unhealthy snacks. While there may be multiple reasons why people eat more poorly in cluttered surroundings, it’s a good idea to make cooking and dining areas as free
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. Related content: How to achieve physical, mental and emotional wellness for better overall health [...] If your brain is overloaded or you’re chronically tired, it’s hard to stay ahead of clutter. That’s why tackling mental well-being and stress can sometimes help in creating a more organized space, and vice versa — improving your environment can positively impact your mental state. [...] Each of these tips is meant to reduce the strain clutter puts on your brain. Start with one or two strategies that seem most doable for you. Over time, you’ll likely find that not only does your home or workspace look better, but you feel better — less stressed, more in control and sharper mentally. Small steps really do add up when it comes to decluttering for better brain health.
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 [...] Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered. A chronically cluttered home environment can lead to a constant low-grade fight or flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival. [...] This response can trigger physical and psychological changes that affect how we fight bugs and digest food, as well as leaving us at greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Clutter might also have implications for our relationships with those around us. A 2016 US study, for instance, found background clutter resulted in participants being less able to correctly interpret the emotional expressions on the faces of characters in a movie.
One study found that women who perceived their homes as cluttered had heightened levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with chronic
by F Quinn · 2025 · Cited by 2 — Home clutter is associated moderately with reduced well-being. These relationships are explained partly by reduced home beauty.