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How Clutter and Anxiety are Linked

Uncover how clutter and anxiety are linked and how clearing clutter can change your life.

How Clutter and Anxiety are Linked

Have you been feeling anxious, helpless, or maybe even overwhelmed?  If you have a cluttered house or workspace, there could be a correlation between the number of things around you and your mental health.  

It is a fact that clutter plays a big part in how we feel about ourselves and our space. 

To put it simply:  mess equals stress. 

Living in a world that is in constant disarray actually creates an overwhelming environment which then contributes to feelings of unhappiness, confusion, and even guilt.  

Let’s break it down a little bit and see how simply being surrounded by clutter can be connected to feelings of anxiety.

How Clutter and Anxiety are Linked

The Links Between Clutter and Anxiety

The links between clutter and anxiety are amazing. When living in clutter, you are constantly exposing your mind to excessive stimuli. This, in turn, makes our senses go into overdrive on different things that just aren’t that important. 

A messy space is distracting, both visually and emotionally.  It really takes away from the things in life that we should really focus on, such as connections with family and friends.  

Clutter Can Create Anxiety

Clutter actually makes it extremely difficult to relax, both mentally and physically.  It creates anxiety because it is constantly sending a crazy amount of random signals to our brains.  This steady surge of stimuli gives us feelings of uneasiness, guilt, and, sometimes, embarrassment. 

It has been found that clutter will take over your mind and body by inhibiting creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. 

So, what can we try to do to lessen or get rid of anxiety? 

How Clutter and Anxiety are Linked

Reduce Anxiety by Eliminating Clutter

To put it simply, you can reduce anxiety by eliminating clutter. 

While this may sound like a hard fix, clutter is one of the easiest stressors to get a grasp on.  If you feel that clutter is likely one of the reasons you experience anxiety, start by clearing it out. 

This can be a big job, so it is best done with the help of family and friends.  If you’d rather go at it alone, begin by focusing on one small area at a time so as to not get too overwhelmed. 

This will clean up the clutter while also allowing you to celebrate every small accomplishment.  Don’t overthink it, and do what you can, when you can.  

Another helpful tool to minimize clutter is to find a hidden spot for most of the things that you want to keep. Think drawers, closets, and cabinets. This will remove (or hide away) an exorbitant amount of visual stimuli that may be linked to your anxiety. 

Remember to keep it simple and if you don’t use it or need it, get rid of it.

How Clutter and Anxiety are Linked

Maintain Clutter Free Living

When you have cleaned up your clutter, try your best to keep it that way.  If you take something out of place, put it back when you are done. 

Be conscious of what comes into your space and keep things minimal. 

For example, let’s talk about daily mail.  Most papers received in the mail are junk.  Read them and toss them, or if they are important, properly file them away so as not to build up a pile of papers. 

Make it a habit to keep things orderly and at the end of the day, you can quickly tidy up and start fresh in the morning with a clean slate.  This will leave you feeling accomplished and give you peace of mind.  

How Clutter and Anxiety are Linked

The Connection Between Clutter And Anxiety

The connection between clutter and anxiety is real.  Before you lose all hope, give your space a once over and take some time to get everything in order.  Make it fun by turning up some tunes, getting help from a friend, or offering yourself a sweet treat when the job is complete.  De-cluttering equals de-stressing.   Don’t just take our word for it.  Give it a try!

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