According to studies, most people are more stressed in an untidy or cluttered environment. According to one study, women who described their homes as cluttered or disorganized had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than women who used more positive language to describe their homes.
Another study sought to investigate the connection between clutter, happiness, and attachment to one’s home and possessions. The study polled over 1,400 people in the United States and Canada who had mild to severe clutter problems. Clutter had a negative impact on well-being and may prevent people from reaping the benefits commonly associated with feeling “at home,” such as identity, belonging, comfort, and security.
“It gives people a renewed sense of control over their environment,” says Catherine Roster, PhD, a marketing professor and director of the Behavioral Lab at the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque who has studied the impact of clutter on our psychological well-being. “When people declutter, they feel a sense of freedom and liberation. It is a reclaiming of mastery and control. They have a better sense of competence and efficiency.”
Tips for Decluttering Your Spaces
Start small. If you pick one drawer or cabinet to organize, you’ll be less likely to get discouraged. The pleasure of seeing and using a well-organized space will serve as positive feedback, prompting you to do more.
Build in structure. If you invite friends over for dinner, you’ll be motivated to declutter your kitchen. If you schedule someone to take your unneeded items, you’ll have a target date for completing your decluttering. Make sure you allow some extra time, as decluttering can take longer than you expect.
Also see: Ways you can stop yourself from overspending
