“What I know for sure is that when you declutter – whether it’s on your home, your head, or your heart – it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family.”
― Peter Walsh
When do you feel you’re calmest and most at home? Surrounded by piles of dirty clothes, tumbling stacks of Tupperware, and last month’s mail spread across your desk? Or… when you’re looking at a freshly made bed, clean kitchen, and organized workspace? Only one of those images should have spiked your Cortisol and it’s not the second one!
It’s no surprise that our surroundings have a huge effect on our mental state. Feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and hopelessness can often be linked directly to our surroundings. For example, it’s easy for us to convince ourselves that work is piling up and has become unbearable when we allow our physical surroundings to pile up and become overwhelming.
So because we’re approaching May, which happens to be Mental Health Awareness month, we’re sharing several reasons why being organized can help improve your mental health and some guides for how to get started!
Lowers anxiety and stress. Home is where we’re meant to feel our most comfortable and relaxed, but that can become nearly impossible if we’re surrounded by a sea of misplaced items and/or trash. Clutter is a proven stressor and makes it hard to relax, enjoy your home, or be productive when you need to be. When you remove the mess from sight and know that things are in their place, you’re less likely to be overwhelmed or anxious in your own spaces.
Saves you money. Have you ever searched for something, decided it would be easier to repurchase, and then found the original item where you least expected it? By keeping an organization system that works for you, everything will be where you left it and you much less likely to lose items in your home.
Reduces distractions from your surroundings. This is especially important if you’re working from home. It can already be difficult to work remotely with normal distractions like pets, family, etc. but it becomes harder when your surroundings then rob you of your productivity. Fewer distractions mean more productivity while working and better relaxation when you’re trying to unwind!
Its a grounding practice. While it may feel like a chore, cleaning your space can be a great way to slow down and check in with yourself and your home. If you treat it like an exercise in mindfulness, your cleaning and organizational routine can become self-care as well.
Boosts feelings of productivity. If you’re someone who loves checking things off of your to-do list, start adding a daily clean in the morning or evening. If you work from home, tidying one area of your home before you start your day is a great way to get the blood flowing and start off with a positive mindset. Or when you get home from work, try setting a 10-20 minute timer and see how much you can get done before you start unwinding.
“Today is the day you rid yourself of anything that distracts from your best life.”
― Joshua Becker
And because you only benefit if you begin cleaning and organizing, here are some guides to help you get started:
So remember that you don’t have to do it all at once—start small, do what works for you, and get help if you need it. Not everyone benefits from the same kind of home or work environment, so create a system that is best for you and your mental health.
