Did you know that 2.6% of Americans have a hoarding disorder? According to statistics by National Geographic, this number is as high as 6% among the aging population in the country.
Living in a messy and cluttered space can significantly impact your mental well-being. Poorly organized ergonomic structures can lead to increased feelings of stress and anxiety. A chaotic physical environment can overwhelm your senses, making it difficult to focus and relax.
However, you need not worry. A house organizer service can help you maintain your space in an organized manner and seek peace of mind. The first step is to realize that you have a problem and you need “decluttering” assistance. Most people fail on both of these fronts.
In this article, we will explore how clutter contributes to stress. Knowing this aspect of the problem can help you take action and create a healthier home environment.
Visual Distraction
Living in a congested space creates a constant irritating and distracting visual noise. Even the smallest object in your field of vision competes for attention. Therefore, it can be difficult to focus on important tasks or find space for relaxation.
This visual chaos can create a state of perpetual mental stimulation. As a result, your brain is continuously processing and categorizing the objects around you. Moreover, this can also affect productivity and lead to mental exhaustion.
However, this visual mess can be reduced by hiring professional organizers, suggests Clutterless Home Solutions. Most of these professionals charge hourly, costing between $30 and $200 an hour. They make lists and organize areas of people’s homes and work life. Paying a little makes sense when it helps you preserve your mental health.
Feeling Overwhelmed
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when you are surrounded by clutter. The sheer number of items can create a feeling of suffocation as if the physical objects are bumping into you. This sensation can turn into emotional distress. It can be manifested in the form of anxiety or anguish that there is always something that needs to be done.
An article published in the New York Times states that messiness and mental health are closely linked. People living in messy environments feel physically and mentally exhausted. Feelings of stress, overwhelm, and shame become a part of their existence as they are unable to clean the clutter.
The overwhelming nature of clutter can make simple chores seem impossible, leading to a vicious cycle of procrastination and stress. Congested ergonomic workspaces increase the feeling of losing control over your environment. This can significantly impact your self-esteem and ability to manage various aspects of your life.
Impaired Decision-Making
A disorganized physical space can have a profound effect on your ability to engage in decision-making. Your brain becomes habitual to chaos when faced with constant instability. This makes it harder to think clearly and logically. This cognitive strain can be a major cause of developing decision fatigue.
As a result, the quality of your decisions deteriorates as you are forced to make several small choices throughout the day just to manage your environment. The mental effort wasted on these minor choices leaves little room for important decisions in work or personal life.
Moreover, the inability to find items easily can lead to hasty and poor decisions. A study was published in the National Library of Medicine in 2023 about the associations between cluttered spaces and decision-making. It revealed that American adults who live in disorganized environments tend to have poor decision-making, reactance, and goal-directed capacities
Emotional Impact
Congested spaces often carry an emotional burden that goes beyond mere physical mess. A cluttered room consists of a number of objects that may be tied to memories, past experiences, or unfulfilled dreams. This creates an ongoing reminder of unresolved conflicts or unfinished business.
This emotional baggage can result in feelings of regret, shame, or guilt. As a result, it contributes to a diminished self-image and lowered self-esteem. The difficulty in letting go of these objects can also signify a struggle with change or moving on in life.
According to research published in Neuroscience News in 2023, women living in poor ergonomic structures have high levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone responsible for causing stress, anxiety, and depression. They are often burdened by societal expectations and gender roles, worsening the situation for them.
Cognitive Overload
A cluttered environment can result in cognitive overload. It is defined as a condition in which your brain is continuously processing more information than it can handle effectively. This overload happens because every item in your space demands a small portion of your attention unconsciously.
You may find it harder to remember important things, concentrate, or engage in creative thinking. This cognitive strain can hamper other areas of your life. This includes jeopardizing your performance at work, your interpersonal relationships, and your ability to engage in hobbies or self-care activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does a cluttered environment affect the mind?
The brain of human beings faces problems with focusing attention in the presence of clutter. It is just like how doing various tasks at one time reduces concentration. This decreased concentration makes it hard to deal with disorganized structures because the brain keeps hopping from one item to another.
What is the root cause of having a cluttered living space?
Clutter multiplies whenever you experience a life-changing or stressful event. Major life events such as having a baby, job hopping, shifting to a new place, or a financial crisis cause significant routine changes. Items tend to pile up as you believe that you will get in place once things “settle down.”
How to declutter your living space using the 12-12-12 rule?
Decluttering can be done in a simple way. Each day, you find 12 objects to garbage, 12 to donate, and 12 things to be put back in their place. Number 12 is fairly good to work with. It is also small enough to feel a sense of achievement, but big enough to present a bit of a hardship.
Overall, a cluttered place can contribute to stress and negatively impact your psychological well-being. Individuals can take proactive measures to declutter their homes and create a more organized and calming atmosphere.
This transformation enhances a sense of mental clarity and encourages emotional resilience and overall quality of life. Living in an uncluttered environment is a perfect way to gain a sense of control and cultivate a positive mindset in daily life.
