It’s Difficult to Live a Normal Life in Abnormal Surroundings.
Here’s how Clutter Affects Your Health, Relationships, Career, and Finances.
How clutter affects your health and more were analyzed by Storage company Make Space through various studies on clutter and hoarding. They spoke to psychotherapists, physicians, and professional organizers to learn more about the psychological reasons for clutter and its negative effects.
Clutter Affects Your health
Your apartment isn’t the only thing affected by over-accumulation of stuff. Clutter affects your health with tangible effects on your mental and physical wellbeing.
1 – Increases your stress
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found people with cluttered homes full of unfinished projects had more depression, fatigue, and had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.”
Cortisol declines normally during the day. The study also mentions that as a result of cortisol’s failure to decline normally over the course of the day has “been associated with greater chronic stress, disease progression, and even mortality risk.”
2 – Wrecks your diet
A study in Psychological Science found that participants in an orderly environment chose healthier snacks than those in a cluttered environment. Therefore, to loose weight, loose the clutter.
“Clutter is stressful for the brain, so you’re more likely to resort to coping mechanisms such as choosing comfort foods or overeating than if you spend time in neater surroundings,” explains Dr Eva Shaloub.
3 – Triggers respiratory issues
The harder it gets to access different areas of the home to clean, the more serious these respiratory issues become. Studies have found clutter affects your health in homes due to a higher percentage of more dust. Subsequently can cause or amplify breathing problems.
As more things pile up, more dust is generated. This creates the ideal living environment for pests like dust mites.
4 – Threatens your safety
Mental health experts have warned that excessive amounts of clutter – especially cardboard boxes, paper, and clothing – can block doorways and windows, creating a serious fire hazard. It also creates more opportunities for tripping and falling.
Clutter hurts your relationships
If you share your home with others, excessive clutter is no longer just a “you” problem. Clutter in your home can also negatively impact the lives of your significant other and kid(s).
1 – Jeopardizes your love life
People with hoarding disorder persistently have difficulty getting rid of things because of a perceived need to save them. They also feel distressed at the thought of parting with their belongings. This can take a toll on one’s marriage. Studies have shown that compulsive hoarders have higher rates of divorce.
Clutter’s negative impact on marriage is not limited to hoarders. “Spouses of a cluttered person who are bothered by the condition of the environment express their discomfort in judgment, negative comments, name calling, anger and irritability,” writes Debbie Bowie, a Certified Professional Organizer.
2 – Upsets your kids
If you have kids, they too can feel the negative effects of a cluttered home. Studies have shown that kids living in a severely cluttered environment often have elevated levels of distress, experiencing less happiness and more difficulty making friends.
3 – Isolates you
The cleanliness of your home can affect your desire to invite anyone into it. To clarify, Rubbermaid conducted a survey by Russell Research. Nearly half of surveyed homeowners said they won’t invite friends over if their home is cluttered.
Try not to go too far in the opposite direction. Though, as living in an overly tidy and controlled environment can also cause stress. According to Kellie Rice Psy.D., CGP, that level of anxiety makes it hard for someone to leave the house because he/she is so preoccupied with whether or not it’s neat enough.
Clutter derails your career
“If a person doesn’t have control over their home environment, they use work as an escape,” says Connor McClenahan Psy.D. People with messy tendencies rarely confine their disorganization to just their homes. Meaning that chaos can seep into your professional life, too.
1 – Less Promotions
A chaotic desk, an untidy briefcase or purse, and an undefined filing system (or no filing system at all) can all have a major impact on your job performance. A CareerBuilder study found that 28 per cent of employers are less likely to promote someone with a messy workspace.
2 – Makes you miss work
Researchers have found compulsive hoarding was associated with an average of seven work impairment days per month. That’s more than those reported by participants with other anxiety, mood, and substance abuse disorders.
3 – Decreases productivity
A cluttered environment lets the chaos inhibits your ability to focus. A study by the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute observed that “multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation.”
A desk strewn with papers, snacks, photos, and pens will probably beat out any kind of productivity you had planned for the day. The research also shows that a clean work environment will help you be more productive, less moody, and better able to process information.
Clutter drains your wallet
A messy home can negatively affect how you manage your finances. Subsequently it can lead to poor money management and severe debt. There are solutions to these issues, therefore being able to find your electric bill is a good place to start.
1 – Encourages bad spending habits
A cluttered home makes it easy to misplace things. If you can’t find an item, like your yoga mat or your dog’s favorite toy, you might buy a duplicate. This habit, combined with spending a lot of money to hoard items, can get you into debt.
2 – Keeps you in debt
As a result of clutter, it is difficult to locate credit card bills and bank statements. Consequently, another lost bill leads to another late payment. Suddenly, you’re dealing with additional fees, higher interest rates, or even collection agencies.