Why does a clean and tidy home have such an important and positive impact on our mental health?
Negative Impact of Mess:
A study by Princeton University emphasizes that clutter can make it difficult to focus
Clutter and mess are linked to negative emotions; confusion, tension, and irritability
Organized homes link to positive emotions; calmness, sense of well-being
In the brain, clutter represents “unfinished business,” which can be highly stressful for people
Benefits of Cleaning:
People with clean houses tend to be healthier, physically, than those with cluttered homes
The relationship between a clean house and mental health can reduce anxiety
In an article published by the journal Mindfulness discovered that people who took their time to wash dishes had a 27% reduction in nervousness and 25% improvement in mental inspiration
Studies have found that clean sheets associate with a better night’s sleep, which provides a whole benefit for mental health
Cleaner homes reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and depressive symptoms
People are less irritable, distracted, and more productive with an organized work area
Cleaning can be classified as a form of exercise, and exercise can release endorphins
The scent of the home has a huge effect on mood
Cleaning promotes a sense of achievement which can feel very empowering for those suffering from mental health issues
Why is this important:
It is important to learn about how cleaning, decluttering, and mess can affect your mental health because it is directly about your surrounding environment.
Cleanliness can improve your mood and overall health because your environment plays a direct role in how you feel.
Clutter and mess can be stressful for a person because it is not pleasing to the eye, which reflects back into your mind.
In extreme cases of mental health illnesses, the lack of motivation to clean is an issue
The knowledge of the association between mental health and cleanliness can be used as a motivation tool to declutter, organize, and clean your environment to improve those symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Improving your mental health can start by a simple spring cleaning.
