If you’re struggling with seasonal affective disorder, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, keeping your home tidy and organized may be challenging. However, research shows that disorganization can worsen your mental health, creating a snowball effect. January is Get Organized Month, so it’s the perfect time to focus on cleaning or decluttering your space.
The Link Between Clutter and Mental Health
Recent studies have found that clutter in the home is associated with higher levels of cortisol—the body’s stress hormone. It can reduce your ability to feel pleasure in a space and contribute to issues in other areas of your life, such as your relationships and financial well-being. A messy living space can also distract you from other priorities and cause you to lose important things.
Living in a tidy, organized place can improve your mental health by increasing your sense of clarity and control. It can also boost your confidence, increase your productivity and create a more peaceful atmosphere.
People also tend to take clues about how they’re doing from their living space. Therefore, a clean and organized space can reinforce the notion that you are worth the time it takes to create a calm and peaceful place.
Getting Motivated to Clean or Declutter
Becoming motivated to clean can be difficult. To make it easier, consider breaking every task into much smaller ones. You can also set a timer for 10, 15 or 20 minutes and stop cleaning the moment the timer goes off. This may help you get started by making cleaning seem more manageable.
Conclusion
A clean and organized living space can provide you with clarity and peace this winter. Take advantage of Get Organized Month this January by taking steps to declutter your home.