Have you ever felt overwhelmed or stressed out by looking at your surroundings?
The past year has been overwhelming overall, but staying at home for an extended amount of time probably might have you feeling more stressed than usual.
Cleaning up or reorganizing could actually be the highlight of your day, though.
Research has found that a lack of cleaning has a negative impact on our mental health; conversely, cleaning can have a positive effect.
A published study found those who described their living space as cluttered with unfinished projects were more likely to be exhausted and depressed than those who described their homes as restful and restorative.
It also found that women in messy homes had higher levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
Clutter has been linked to confusion, tension, irritability, stress, and anxiety. while an organized home is linked to calmness and a sense of well-being. People can take control of their environment by cleaning, organizing, and decluttering.
Cleaning has a number of positive benefits for your mental health. It gives you a sense of control and the repetitive action has a calming effect. Cleaning can improve your mood and give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Our lives are chaotic and the idea of cleaning and decluttering can seem out of reach, but knowing the benefits might make it worth pursuing.
Start with one thing. It can be easy to go from room to room and find a million things that need to be done, but it’s easier to commit to cleaning or organizing one room or area at a time. Before you know it, your place will be much cleaner and less stressful in no time.
What’s your favorite decluttering tip? Have you experienced stress relief after a good cleaning binge?
