Clutter and your health

Can clutter make us ill?!

Have you ever really thought about how your clutter is really impacting your life?!

Yes, it can weigh us down.

Yes, it can keep us distracted.

But is it really making you ill or stressed?!

Stress used to be a huge factor in my life, but I never thought it from my lifestyle of clutter!

I saw my clutter as an organised mess, things in places and storage units and boxes piled high but as I say ‘organised’.

But it was slowly eating at me, seeing stuff everywhere, having to move one thing to get to another. Opening one box in the loft to bring back the past and trigger my anxieties. The home felt so cramped and busy.

I thought I was the perfect Mam, and childminder having so much on offer to the children in my care as well as my own.

How stress from clutter makes you ill.

Motherly’s Article, It’s Science: Clutter Can Actually Give You Anxiety explains the science of cortisol: “No matter the ways, reasons and means by which the creep of stuff exceeds our ability to mentally and physically manage it—all of it amounts to stress. Clutter can trigger the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which can increase tension and anxiety and lead to unhealthy habits. Cortisol is a hormone produced in response to stress by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA).”

Also, according to a Cornell University study from 2016, stress triggered by clutter may also trigger coping and avoidance strategies, like eating junk food, oversleeping or binge-watching Netflix.

Stress can affect our physical and mental health negatively and it can result in:

*Disrupted sleep.

*Increase in blood pressure, blood sugars and heart rate.

*Decreased immune function.

*Depression and/or Anxiety or both.

Yes, I know there many things in life other than clutter that can stress us out. But clutter is a stress trigger we can control.

When you are carrying too much stress, it demands all of your energy and attention. “It is difficult to maintain a state of wellness over time when our body energy is channelled into coping with stress.” – Anne-Marie Gambelin.

Here is a great science-based article to read more too: https://www.mother.ly/home/its-science-clutter-can-actually-give-you-anxiety/https://www.mother.ly/home/its-science-clutter-can-actually-give-you-anxiety/

So, what can we do to help control the clutter?

Ultimately decluttering is the only option to remove clutter from our lives.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counsellor, Joyce Marter says that purging unneeded items from our homes is like deleting files to create space on your computer. In this article, she says, “Suddenly, the whole operating system is more efficient… this decreases stress and increases your effectiveness personally and professionally.”

Do you know  how to declutter, if you are not sure download this: Free download

By approaching decluttering as a challenge/ fun experience or experiment removes some of the stress.

Do you find letting go a struggle?!

Be gentle with yourself and move the things you want to release. You can simply box the things you are unsure about and put it away for 30-60 days. If you don’t miss it, need it or even forget what’s in the box altogether, it’s easier to let go.

Remember why you are decluttering, having strong intentions or improving health and more will help you stay on track.

Your home environment will make a difference in how you feel. Every positive change you make and every tiny step take towards a healthier life will provide confidence and momentum to make the next change.

Even if you are as healthy as you want to be, ask yourself how clutter is contributing to your life.

Is it weighing you down or adding value to your life?

Does it make you happy or frustrated?

Are you holding on because you want to or because letting go is hard?

Why Reducing Clutter Improves Mental Health

Decluttering can promote productivity and improvements in mental and physical health.

As well as

*Better focus. Removing physical distractions.

*Higher self-esteem. Improving your areas can restore feelings of competency and pride.

*Better relationships. As less conflict with family or roommates as things are more tidy, organised and easier to find.

*Lower risk of asthma and allergies. Decluttering can prevent pests and reduce dust, mould, and mildew, which may trigger asthma and allergies.

*Improved lifestyle and well-being. It’s easier to prepare healthy meals in an orderly kitchen. And most people sleep better in a neat room with a tidy bed.

Need help?

If you need help with decluttering, I also have some options available to help you

One, work with me https://stephaniejanehomealignmentspecialist.wordpress.com/products-services/

Two, not local get my downloadable https://stephaniejanehomealignmentspecialist.wordpress.com/my-products/

Still unsure book a call with me: https://stephaniejanehomealignmentspecialist.wordpress.com/contact-me/