Clutter and mess can create more stress and anxiety, but by cleaning, organizing, and reducing the clutter, people are able to take control of their environment and create a more relaxing environment that helps them focus better on the more pressing issues in their lives.
'Many studies have found that having a clean and tidy house can help you to feel relaxed, accomplished, stress free and this could in turn help with any mental health conditions and allow you to feel better and happier.
Maintaining a clean and tidy home is usually a sign of good emotional health. When cleaning becomes obsessive, however, an underlying mental disorder may be the cause. Obsessive fears of contamination along with cleaning and sanitizing compulsions is one of many subtypes of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
According to Dr. Brown, cleaning your space may help reduce your cortisol levels, turn down the volume on the visual noise, and help you focus on the things you need to, and that could potentially improve your mood.
states that “We want to be able to do something when we get anxious, and what we really want is to be in control and take action.” This is why simple tasks such as cleaning, washing the dishes and organising things in the home can make us feel calmer, as we take a minute to be more mindful and focus our awareness on ...
A cluttered, untidy environment actually generates more of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain. So, if your home and living spaces are clutter-free, tidy and clean then you can assume you'll generate less cortisol and reap the rewards mentally.
Temporary anxiety can lead to cleaning more meticulously, according to a 2015 study from University of Connecticut. Researchers theorized that people gravitate toward repetitive behaviors (such as cleaning) during times of stress. Why? It's all about control.
Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren't necessary or important. Clutter distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on. Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.
If having a perfectly neat and tidy room is what inspires you and helps you feel productive and creative, it might mean that you have what is known as a Type A personality. People with this personality type tend to be perfectionists. Having everything in its place helps fulfill their need for order and control.
A messy room can create stress and other negative emotions, leading to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Research shows that living in a chaotic environment affects our emotions, behavior, relationships, and even our eating habits.
Is obsessive cleaning a symptom of OCD? Sometimes, yes. For many patients, obsessive thoughts revolve around germs, which makes the compulsions manifest as obsessive cleaning. People with OCD may also feel the need to organize everything to make sense of their thoughts.
Some people with OCD do have compulsions around cleanliness and order. However, this is not a diagnostic requirement nor the only way OCD manifests. It's important to acknowledge this because people living with OCD who aren't focused on cleaning might find it difficult to look for and accept their diagnosis.
One widely held misconception is that people who prefer to be neat have OCD, and people with OCD like to clean. OCD is not a matter of wants or preferences. OCD is a mental health disorder where individuals repeatedly experience unwanted obsessions and engage in compulsive behaviors.
Keeping on top of mess for around 15 minutes a day is, say experts, the ideal. They then suggest dedicating more time for a thorough clean once a week or twice a month, depending on need. A deep clean will be needed every three to four months.
When you vacuum and dust your bedroom regularly, you ensure the air is clear of allergens and dust particles. What's more, it also prevents bacteria and viruses from harboring in your home. With clear and fresh air, your sleep will be better and healthier.
ISFJs and ISTJs and Cleanliness:
For the ISFJ and ISTJ personality types, having a sense of order and cleanliness gives them peace of mind. They notice the little things and feel satisfaction when their environment is free of dirt, dust, and clutter.
People with ADHD who have a hard time keeping things tidy usually aren't being lazy or thoughtless. They have trouble with a group of skills needed to tackle cleanup tasks and stay organized. These skills are known as executive function.
Reduces Anxiety
“Cleaning a home burns calories and is also good for our body because it releases endorphins or feel-good chemicals within the brain. Therefore activities like cleaning, de-cluttering and organising the home reduce anxiety and has a positive effect on our mental health.
Some ADHD experts believe that a cluttered desk, closet, or house reflects a disorganized mind; others take it as a sign of genius. A lot of adults with ADHD, including me, agree with the latter opinion. Either view can be true, depending on the individual and the degree of his disorganization.
Having a messy house is very normal and common, even if it doesn't seem so. Mess can be found in every house. Sometimes clutter becomes a bit overwhelming, but there's no need to panic because all houses become messy at times. If the space is still sanitary there shouldn't be serious long-term harm.
You might feel more comfortable in a messy room because for you it might be a controlled mess. You know? You know where things are and it's structured in a way only you can understand. Unlike outside of there where it feels more like a messy world where nothing's makes sense.
I recommend reaching out to friends, family or mental health professionals to help. However, cleaning, decluttering and organizing can help you take control of your environment and improve your surroundings, which may lower feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.
But research shows disorganization and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains. Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus. The visual distraction of clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory.