Clutter Fix ERASES the STRESS!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 28, 2023
I spent an hour cleaning my desk before sitting down to write this week’s articles.
It’s incredible how having some order clears your mind and lifts your mood.
In fact, the stress-relieving benefits of decluttering have even been studied…
When a group of researchers asked women how messy they thought their homes were, the ones who responded that they were a mess were more likely to be depressed and tired.
Now, I’m the first to look at research like that and suggest that the house may be messy BECAUSE they’re depressed.
But loads of other studies show that tidying up your home (or desk or car) can benefit your stress level, mood, and focus.
- Less stress and anxiety: Being in a cluttered place can make you feel worried and overloaded. In fact, one study found mothers living in a messy home had higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Cleaning and organizing your space gives you a sense of order and control, allowing you to relax.
- Better focus and attention: Different things can catch your eye when surrounded by a lot of STUFF. But when you eliminate visual noise and distractions, your brain can focus better on the task at hand.
- Reduced mental fatigue: Your brain can get exhausted when it tries to process and organize everything it sees in a cluttered area. Clearing away the junk creates a quieter space where your mind can rest, dialing down your stress.
- Increased productivity: Research reveals we often try to manage the overwhelming feelings triggered by disorganization by employing coping and avoidance strategies such as watching junk TV or eating junk food. (Sound familiar?) Naturally, this slashes productivity. You work more efficiently when you have less visible clutter to distract you. Plus, when things are in order, you can find what you need quickly, making you more productive.
- Positive emotional effect: Regardless of whether it’s your desk, your home, or your car, a clean and well-organized space is calming. It allows you to let go of stress. And since your brain prefers a tranquil, organized environment, that translates into you feeling content and happy.
I get it. Cleaning is often the LAST thing on your mind when you feel overwhelmed, tired, or sad. However, redirecting your thoughts to the task can ease those feelings. Think of it as a POSITIVE distraction.
If you need help getting started, breaking the job into smaller parts is a good way to jumpstart the process. Instead of tackling the entire kitchen, try clearing just a countertop.
Completing that one task can clear your mind and boost your mood. And it won’t be long before you feel your stress level drop and you feel inspired to do even MORE decluttering.
P.S. Calm anxiety WITHOUT drugs (EASY!).
Source:
“No Place Like Home: Home Tours Correlate With Daily Patterns of Mood and Cortisol. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin,” 2010, 36(1), 71–81. doi. org/10.1177/0146167209352864
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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