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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. [...] Research has shown that living in a cluttered environment increases stress. In the study, young women cared for an infant in either a normal or cluttered environment. While chaos didn't seem to affect mood or responsiveness, physical stress levels were still higher for women in the cluttered homes. Such findings suggest that parents should consider how cleanliness and clutter in the home may impact their stress levels. [...] Other research suggests that lower housing quality, including how clean the home is, can have an impact on mental health.
### Clutter May Lead to Decreased Focus, Confusion, and Tension
Meanwhile, researchers have also found that clutter can make it difficult to focus on a particular task. More specifically, they discovered that a person's visual cortex can be overwhelmed by objects not related to a particular task, making it harder to focus and complete projects efficiently.
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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8848757
Environmental health policy currently fails to adequately address the mental health impacts of the environment on individuals and communities. For example, communities facing health concerns around local pollution sources (Downey and Van Willigen 2005) or drinking-water contamination (Cuthbertson et al. 2016) may experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. These signs of distress are either overlooked or viewed by regulators and policymakers as ancillary, or as a [...] ## . Because environmental stressors may disproportionately affect the mental health of under-resourced communities and communities of color in the United States and globally, it is imperative to address these issues if we truly want to ameliorate chronic health disparities and provide for a healthy, just society. Environmental and mental health scientists working together to answer our call to action will shed new light on the etiology of mental illness, build new avenues for treatment and [...] Notwithstanding unique research challenges in this field, a considerable body of evidence already suggests that the physical environment may influence mental health outcomes. Here we summarize the evidence on neurotoxicants, environmental disasters, and urban natural spaces as examples of this influence because these have the largest literature base, but there are other equally important examples that we could have selected, including psychological reactions to environmental racism and systemic
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ebsco.com
research
https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/environmental-sciences/environmental-…
Environmental factors significantly impact mental health, encompassing both natural and social conditions that can induce stress and affect well-being. Natural conditions include elements like weather patterns, daylight exposure, and environmental disasters, which can provoke anxiety and contribute to mental health disorders such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For example, changes in atmospheric conditions are often linked to shifts in mood, with [...] Although specific environmental factors have not been shown to cause specific mental health conditions, many environmental factors are thought to cause stressful situations that induce latent neuroses or exacerbate existing ones, often resulting in damaging behaviors and mental issues. The effects of environmental factors on neurotic or organic mental illness are difficult to assess because intense life experiences linked to the environment are often associated with situations that in and of [...] Although specific environmental factors have not been shown to cause specific mental health conditions, many environmental factors are thought to cause stressful situations that induce latent neuroses or exacerbate existing ones, often resulting in damaging behaviors and mental issues. The effects of environmental factors on neurotic or organic mental illness are difficult to assess because intense life experiences linked to the environment are often associated with situations that in and of
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bestdaypsych.com
article
https://bestdaypsych.com/environment-and-mental-health
Cluttered environments deserve special attention. Untidy spaces often create a sense of chaos, which can lead to anxiety and mental overload. In contrast, clean and organized spaces promote calm and focus.
Research shows that clutter can impair decision-making and increase impulsive behavior. For people already feeling stressed or overwhelmed, messy environments may worsen unhealthy habits, such as poor eating choices or excessive screen use.
## Weather, Climate, and Mental Health [...] Air pollution, smoke, and mold affect breathing and physical health. Over time, these physical effects can influence mood and mental resilience.
Poor air quality has been linked to increased fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Therefore, clean air supports both physical comfort and emotional stability.
## Clutter, Organization, and Stress [...] Your environment includes any place where you spend a significant amount of time. This may be your home, workplace, neighborhood, or community. It also includes outdoor spaces and even temporary environments you visit regularly.
Everything you see, hear, smell, or breathe can influence your stress level and emotional state. Over time, these influences shape your overall mental well-being.
Key environmental factors that affect mental health include:
## Noise and Mental Health
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sbtreatment.com
article
https://sbtreatment.com/blog/the-impact-a-clean-and-tidy-home-can-have-on-you…
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 [...] Given that clutter and chaotic home environments are linked to reductions in psychological wellbeing, it would make sense that maintaining a tidy home would have the opposite effect. Researchers have conducted studies to determine the benefits of having a clean and tidy home, and the results have been promising. A recent study that explored the impact of clutter found that having lower levels of subjective clutter in the home was linked to higher levels of positive emotion, improved
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psychiatry.org
article
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/diversity/education/social-determina…
The physical environment, including air quality, noise levels, and green spaces, influences mental well-being. For example, exposure to environmental toxins, such as lead or high levels of air pollution, is linked to increased risks of depression and other psychiatric disorders.1
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sciencedirect.com
article
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723076933
by E Baker · 2024 · Cited by 21 — The dominant mental health outcomes of interest in these studies were depression, anxiety, and mental and psychiatric health. The findings of
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nuvancehealth.org
news
https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/how-clutter-affects-your-b…
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. [...] 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. [...] 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.