Maybe for many people, a little mess doesn’t matter, or they reason that cleaning the house every day is tiring. Maybe you don’t know that tidying up your house and organizing your scattered belongings can improve your mental health, as proven by psychological research.
One of the studies was conducted by researchers at Indiana University in 2010. The research participants who maintained cleanliness in their homes appeared healthier and more active compared to those who didn’t. In the same year, another research psychologist found that women who described their living spaces as “messy” or filled with “unfinished projects” were more prone to depression and fatigue. Their stress hormone cortisol levels were also higher. On the other hand, women who described their homes as “calm” and “restorative” found it easier to feel happy.
In 2011, researchers from Princeton University discovered that a cluttered environment can make it harder for us to focus on specific tasks. Specifically, they found that our brain’s visual cortex can pick up irrelevant objects in our surroundings, making it difficult to allocate attention and efficiently complete tasks.
So why do many people find it difficult to tidy up and organize their living spaces:
1. You have too many belongings. In our lives, we often buy small, medium, or even large items that we don’t actually need. For example, you may have an oven and a mixer, thinking you’ll start learning to bake but never actually do it. You may have a collection of items that you haven’t taken care of or organized. These objects are taking up space that could be used for more important things.
Solution: Getting rid of clutter can be challenging, especially because we often attach emotional feelings to the things we keep. Try donating or at least organizing your clutter. If you’re afraid of letting go of certain items, try taking a photo of them so that you’ll always have a physical reminder. You might even find new places to store these items as your home becomes more organized.
2. You don’t have enough time. Organizing just one room already requires a significant amount of time. When thinking about organizing the entire house, you may be tempted to give up before even starting. Then you might think, “How can I manage my career, family, and hobbies if I only spend my time cleaning myself and the house?” However, once your home becomes organized, you’ll work more efficiently and potentially have more free time.
Solution: Try tackling things one by one. At the very least, dedicate 30 minutes a day to cleaning and organizing. If you don’t have time for that, try 15 minutes. And if you don’t have time for that either, try 10 minutes.
3. You’ve forgotten the pleasant and refreshing feeling of having a tidy environment. Often, just tidying up a little bit quickly satisfies many people. Unfortunately, as soon as your home is slightly clean, you may slip back into bad habits. You might be tempted to leave dirty clothes on the floor because doing laundry can be done later. Before long, your house will become just as messy as before.
Solution: Just remember that people who maintain cleanliness in their homes are healthier, both physically and mentally. Keeping your home clean can be enjoyable. Also, involve your family members in cleaning and organizing the house together.
The human body consists of tens of thousands of integrated and organized biological and neurochemical systems. Many of our cells operate on tight schedules, known as circadian rhythms. Without this organization, our bodies would be in chaos. So, it’s no wonder that humans need cleanliness and order in our homes because it reflects the orderliness within our own bodies.
It’s clear that staying clean and organized is a good thing. It helps us feel better about ourselves, keeps us productive, and maintains our physical well-being. Next time we feel lazy and find excuses to avoid cleaning the house, let’s remember these things. We’ll feel much better when everything is tidier.
Anindya Psychological Practice 