Why Does Clutter Make You Stressed?

The Science Behind Organization and Mental Health

Why Does Clutter Cause Us Stress?

There is something about being in a cluttered, disorganized environment that takes a toll on our mental health. But why is that the case? Not only can being in a cluttered environment cause you stress, it can also reduce cognitive abilities according to a study of fMRI scans of participants in a cluttered environment conducted by the Journal of Neuroscience. This appears to be due to the fact that our brains cannot process so much visual stimuli all at once, and this clutter is constantly competing for your visual attention.

Increased clutter has also been linked with an increase in cortisol (the stress hormone), especially in women. One study interviewed individuals and asked them to describe their home. In homes that were self-described as cluttered, the women displayed higher levels of cortisol in their system. Interestingly, this was not as strong of a correlation with men. Even if they described their homes as cluttered, it did not, on the whole, cause as high of a spike in cortisol as it did in women.

Neurologist Dr. Roster explains that, "When there’s lots of clutter, you lose control over your physical environment, which is very defeating and can bring on stress, depression, or anxiety." We all face times of stress, and in those moments we tend to feel that we do not have control. This directly translates into our homes. I've often told my husband, "If you aren't sure about my mental state, check my nightstand and the bed. If they are messy and unmade, then I am not okay." Decluttering and tidying up give back some of the control that we feel we have lost.

Is Cleaning a Type of Self-Care?

It depends. Everyday Health found that the process and end result of tidying up and decluttering can improve both your mood and state of mind. If the process and end result put you at ease, then this act can become an important part of self-care. This can lead to increased productivity as well as decreased procrastination and stress.

While decluttering and tidying is typically good for your health, it can be taken to an extreme that is no longer healthy. If decluttering and cleaning become an obsession, or if you find yourself getting overly upset when cleaned areas are not being consistently maintained by others, then it may be time to step back and look truthfully at your expectations and boundaries.

As Dr. Roster so eloquently states, "It's [decluttering] a form of self-care, just as not doing it is a form of diminishing the self." When you allow your home to become chaotic, you are robbing yourself of both a sense of control over your home, and the comfort that home is meant to provide. Your home should be a place of enjoyment and relaxation, not a source of shame or stress.