Being Organized Can Actually Improve Mental Health. This Is Why.

Improving mental health is high on the agenda for many people in 2024, and the preferred way to achieve this is to declutter and organize.

One of the reasons disorganization is often associated with mental health is that it can negatively affect the way we see ourselves and the lives we lead. Researched negatives of living in a disorganized or cluttered environment include poor memory, poor eating habits, increased likelihood of developing mood disorders , and decreased impulse control. Daniel Levitin, a behavioral neuroscientist at McGill University in Montreal, says there's also a link between living in a cluttered space and the stress hormone cortisol, and the possibility that "clutter and disorganization can lead to chronic anxiety disorders in some people." , Canada.

The study , published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, also shows that "clutter can reduce the sense of well-being, happiness, and security that one derives from being in one's personal space," says study co-author and professor Katherine Roster. . from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

Part of the reason, says Natalie Christine Dattilo, a clinical psychologist and professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, is that many of us "know our homes can be dirty and messy because we feel overwhelmed and mentally disorganized."

Disorganization can also reduce your ability to focus and make decisions. Another study co-authored by Roster suggests that working in a disorganized environment can lead to feelings of burnout.

“Clutter and disorganization lead to productivity losses that are hard to quantify,” says Levitin. This refers to the time people spend searching for lost items, missing appointments, or falling behind at work or school due to busy lives. "The average person wastes 5% of their time due to disorganization," he says. "Take your annual salary, multiply it by 5% and you can estimate how much irregularity will cost you."

While some of the mental health benefits of clutter and clutter are overstated (contrary to popular belief, organization doesn't help with diagnosed depression, for example), science supports some of the benefits of organizing your space.

The mental (and physical) benefits of being organized

Joseph Ferrari, a distinguished professor of psychology at DePaul University and one of the leading scholars in the study of clutter and disorganization, says that almost all mental health problems caused by disorganization and disorganization can be improved with organization. He says, “You'll be less tired, more productive at the office, and significantly improve your quality of life.

Neha Khorana, a certified clinical psychologist in Atlanta who specializes in the mental health benefits of decluttering and organization, agrees. Being organized can also improve anxiety-related symptoms, she adds, because "disorganization is associated with higher levels of anxiety."

A tidy home has also been found to be an indicator of physical health. "Those who have cleaner homes are more active and tend to have better physical health," says Libby Sander, associate professor of organizational behavior at Australia's Bond University. This is partly because organized people manage their time better, but also because research shows that less clutter can help improve your diet. "Studies show a link between clutter and being overweight," says Dattilo.

Being organized has been proven to reduce stress, increase personal productivity, and even improve sleep.

Another organizational benefit that has been explored may be improving the quality of relationships. Dattilo explains that if too much clutter interferes with communication or distracts the brain from filtering important signals from your partner, relationships can deteriorate. Research shows that it can make others feel ignored, misunderstood, or unimportant.

Where and how to start

While many people recognize and desire the physical and mental health benefits of being more organized, some don't know where to start.

"I recommend starting small," Dattilo said. "It's easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to redecorate an entire room or even a closet, so start with one drawer, bookcase, or kitchen pantry and set yourself up for success." She also suggests making organizing more enjoyable by listening to music or an audiobook while you do it, and "taking time to have fun in your newly organized space."

Korana recommends spending some time decluttering and organizing, while Roster suggests imagining how nice it would be to have an organized space as motivation to get started. "Think about how you can use that space for something else that will improve your life or help you be more productive," she says. It also recommends getting support if needed. "A family member, friend or professional organizer can help you if you don't know where to start," she says.

When it comes to the organizing process, Julie Morgenstern, professional organizer and author of Organizing Inside Out, recommends categorizing things like keeping, tossing, and moving. She suggests setting aside space for each item you want to keep, storing items you won't use, and storing sentimental or seasonal items or decorations you don't need to access often elsewhere. "If you have items you can't bear to part with, such as archival tax documents, college records, memorabilia and extra furniture, also consider out-of-the-box storage," she says. "This will allow you to get things out of your home without having to constantly clean them."

When making classification decisions, Ferrari rejects the popular advice to first touch the object in your hand to see if it brings you joy. “Studies show that touching something actually makes you feel more connected. "That's why retailers try to keep them on the shelves to encourage customers to buy," he explains. Instead, he says, it's better to logically assess whether something is worth keeping, without the added emotion that comes with keeping something.

Being organized also means deleting your digital content, says Sander. "Unsubscribe from things you don't read, delete emails, create new folders, and move only a few emails or documents a day," he advises. "By devoting just five minutes a day to getting organized, you can accomplish a lot in a few weeks and develop the habit of staying organized."

Being organized and organized "requires decision-making, emotional regulation, prioritization and patience," says Dattilo, but the process can be learned and improved with practice. "When we care for our home with intention and love, we send ourselves an important message that we are worth the time and effort," she says.

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