How A Clean And Organized Home Affects Mental Health

Depression manifests itself in various ways, with commonly recognized symptoms including lethargy, anhedonia (loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities), hopelessness, and profound sadness. Yet, there exist subtler warning signs of depression that might elude notice—a sink brimming with unwashed dishes, an overwhelming mound of unfolded laundry lingering for days, and a chaotic landscape adorned with scattered boxes, wrappers, and bags throughout your home.

While we all experience moments of disarray, the intensity of disorganization intertwined with symptoms of heightened stress, anxiety, burnout, or depression can serve as a crucial indicator of mental health struggles. The intricate relationship between our living spaces and mental well-being is underscored by the profound impact of depression on motivation, energy levels, and interest—qualities essential for maintaining an orderly home.

Scientific findings consistently draw connections between mental health and clutter, revealing that disorder can impede the ability to derive pleasure from a space. A 2016 study from the University of New Mexico highlighted the direct interference of clutter with participants’ capacity to experience joy within their surroundings.

Navigating the connection between mental well-being and an organized home poses a perplexing challenge, often resembling a chicken-or-egg dilemma. Dr. Natalie Christine Dattilo, a clinical health psychologist and Harvard Medical School instructor, acknowledges the ambiguity, pondering whether stress impedes our ability to organize or if a disorganized environment induces stress, creating a cyclic relationship.

Shira Gill, an organizing expert and author of Minimalista, further emphasizes this interplay between high stress and clutter. She contends that clutter extends beyond its emotional toll, permeating relationships and finances. The repercussions may include strained relationships, financial stressors arising from late fees on misplaced bills, unnecessary spending on duplicates, and distractions from other priorities.
While the negative impact of clutter on mental health is evident, experts unanimously advocate for the positive benefits of a clean and organized home. Gill asserts that a well-edited living space can usher in a cascade of mental health benefits, offering clarity, control, improved quality of life, heightened confidence, increased productivity, and a serene atmosphere.

Regardless of whether one grapples with a mental health condition or not, the journey toward organization demands time and commitment. Overcoming the inertia of depression and the monumental effort required to initiate cleaning activities may seem daunting.

However, even small steps, such as putting away a dish, can yield significant psychological dividends. Dr. Dattilo underscores the significance of decluttering as a process requiring decision-making, emotion regulation, prioritization, and patience.

It serves as a tangible affirmation of self-worth, reinforcing the idea that investing time and effort into maintaining an organized living space is a practice that contributes to a sense of care and well-being. Just as a cluttered space induces feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, a meticulously organized and tidy environment can instill a sense of calm and safety, contributing to overall mental equilibrium.