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cincinnatihousekeeping.com
article
https://cincinnatihousekeeping.com/cleanliness-and-mental-health
One of the most significant connections between cleanliness and mental health is the reduction of stress. When your surroundings are cluttered, your mind feels cluttered too. Studies have revealed that people with messy homes tend to have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cluttered spaces make it difficult to relax, and they often serve as a constant reminder of unfinished tasks, which can heighten anxiety.
Quick Tips for Stress-Free Cleaning: [...] A clean home is more than just a visual treat; it’s a powerful contributor to mental well-being. Studies show a strong link between a tidy space and improved mental health. From reducing stress to fostering better sleep, maintaining cleanliness in your home can do wonders for your state of mind. In this blog, we’ll dive into the key reasons why a clean environment helps you feel happier, less anxious, and more productive.
## Table of Contents
### 1. A Clean Home Reduces Anxiety and Stress [...] Keeping a clean home doesn’t just impact your physical space; it has profound effects on your mental well-being. Whether you’re struggling with stress, trying to improve your sleep, or simply want to boost your productivity, regular cleaning habits can help you feel more balanced and in control of your environment.
V
verywellmind.com
article
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-509…
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. [...] 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. [...] Additionally, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America indicates that the physical activity of cleaning coupled with the end result of a cleaner home helps reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Cleaning can also reduce fatigue and improve concentration.
### Cleanliness and Focus
P
psychologytoday.com
article
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201607/the-power…
A 2010 study published in the scientific journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin used linguistic analysis software to measure the way 60 individuals discussed their homes. Women who described their living spaces as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” were more likely to be depressed and fatigued than women who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.” The researchers also found that women with cluttered homes expressed higher levels of the stress hormone [...] the stress hormone cortisol. [...] Regardless of the why, however, it’s clear that staying clean and organized is a good thing. It helps us feel better about ourselves, it keeps us productive and it may very well keep us physically fit. The next time we bemoan having to clean our home, let’s try to keep these things in mind. We’ll feel much better when everything is organized.
Contributed by Courtney Lopresti, M.S.
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B
burke.ces.ncsu.edu
research
https://burke.ces.ncsu.edu/news/tidying-up-your-environment-to-improve-your-m…
The Cortisol Connection
Scientific studies have established a clear link between clutter and stress
hormones, particularly cortisol. Cortisol is released in response to stress, and
chronic elevation can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues. A study
conducted by the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that a
cluttered environment overwhelms the brain and impairs its ability to process [...] information, contributing to heightened stress levels. Decluttering, on the other
hand, has been associated with reduced cortisol levels, providing a tangible
pathway to stress reduction. [...] effects of decluttering on mental health is strong. These advantages, ranging from
lowering stress hormones to improving cognitive function and emotional well-being, go beyond just maintaining an orderly living space. In our pursuit of mental wellbeing amid the hustle of modern life, decluttering stands out as a potent and easily accessible method to nurture a composed, attentive, and robust mind.
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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11925691
Given these observations about cleaning behavior, its elicitation, and its adaptive functions in a wide range of nonhuman species, is there a similar link between stress and cleaning in humans?
### A Psychological Link Between Stress and Cleaning [...] Our work also provides the first physiological evidence for the attenuation of stress-related effects by cleaning, extending the hitherto mostly experiential evidence to a new level of analysis. An additional nuance is that cleaning effects in some of the present experiments were evident for indirect measures, including pictorial assessment of basic affective dimensions and physiological markers, but not for direct verbal measures that used specific emotion terms, which can operate [...] psychological experiences from the self (Lee & Schwarz, 2021).4 When a psychological experience induces stress, mental separation of it from the self attenuates its effects.
E
elevaterecoveryhomes.com
article
https://elevaterecoveryhomes.com/cleaning-as-self-care
## The Science Behind Clean Spaces and Mental Health
Numerous studies have demonstrated the connection between a clean environment and improved mental health – one study found that individuals who described their homes as cluttered experienced higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, throughout the day.
Your brain responds to your environment. When you’re surrounded by mess, your mind struggles to process information and make decisions. [...] A clean space supports a clear mind. And a clear mind supports recovery.
### The Bottom Line
The connection between a clean space and mental well-being is undeniable – by understanding the psychological impact of our surroundings, we can harness the therapeutic benefits of a tidy environment.
Cleaning isn’t just about having a nice-looking home. It’s about:
Managing stress and anxiety
Creating a sense of control
Building confidence
Providing a safe haven
Supporting your mental health [...] Your home reflects your mental state. When your space is cluttered, your mind feels the same way. Research shows that messy environments increase stress hormones, make it harder to focus, and contribute to anxiety and depression. But cleaning isn’t just about having a tidy house – it’s an act of self-care that directly impacts your emotional well-being. Understanding this connection can change how you think about household chores and give you a practical tool for managing your mental health.
O
oxfordcbt.co.uk
article
https://www.oxfordcbt.co.uk/stress-management-cleaning
Clutter and mess can be linked to negative emotions like confusion and tension. Whereas a clean and tidy home leads to positive emotions such as a sense of calm and well-being. By sorting and organising the clutter and mess around you, you can reduce any stress or anxiety you may be feeling and this will help you feel like you are taking control of your life. The physical activity of cleaning combined with the result of a cleaner home helps reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and depressive [...] and depressive symptoms. Cleaning can also reduce fatigue as having clean sheets and making the bed has been proven to give you a better night’s sleep. Which in turn is linked to a more positive mood. What is stress management? [...] There is a well known and long-established link between smells and scents and mental health, such as aromatherapy helping to reduce anxiety and stress. Particular smells can have a specific impact on your mind as well as your body, for instance, lavender is known to act as a sleep aid and would be a perfect scent for use in bedrooms. A musty and dirty smelling room is not going to have a positive effect on your mental health. Other scents that are linked to mental health are:
S
share.upmc.com
article
https://share.upmc.com/2021/02/clutter-and-stress
Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that clutter has a negative impact on overall well-being. It also increases stress, decreases productivity, and leads to unhealthy habits.
But science doesn’t tell us which came first — the clutter or the stress. Read on to learn more about clutter’s impact and what you can do about it.
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Messiness in our physical space, and how it impacts the way we think and feel, is getting quite a bit of attention.
If you’ve ever looked around your cluttered home — or your messy desk — and felt anxious, you’re not alone. Science supports a link between feeling overwhelmed and having an overwhelming number of things in your environment. [...] Sometimes, living with anxiety, depression, or stress brings on clutter. If you’re overwhelmed by sadness or other negative emotions, you might not have the energy to clean and organize. Or, you might use shopping or accumulating things to manage your feelings.
If the way you feel makes it challenging to keep your environment clean, you should: