Research has shown that the negative effects of a cluttered home go deeper than a simple lack of space - there is evidence that a cluttered home can have an impact on both your physical and mental health. Read on to find out some of the surprising ways in which too much stuff could be affecting your health...
Increased stress
If you home is cluttered - finding the things you need can be a constant challenge. This can lead to a stressful start to the day. But it can go further than having to turn the house upside down to find your keys - Studies in America have shown that people living in a home which they described as cluttered had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol throughout the whole day and were more tired in the evening . People who thought of their homes as a well ordered and restful space had consistently lower levels of cortisol and an easier time transitioning between work and home. Increased levels or cortisol are also linked with many chronic health conditions.
Decreased Productivity
A cluttered visual environment is no good for concentration and focus. When you are in a cluttered environment, there are too many items which are competing for your attention and this can lead to poor concentration and poor focus. Clutter is very distracting, making it difficult to concentrate on important tasks. Research has also suggested that those who live in cluttered homes have a poorer "working memory," Your brain can become overloaded when it has too much to think about, affecting your ability to retain information.
Allergies and other health issues
A cluttered, dusty environment has more effects on you then an increased need to get the polish out. Dusty environments lead to an increase in allergies to things like dust mites and pet dander. A less cluttered environment makes it easier to vacuum and clean - helping you to get your allergies under control.
Embarrassment leading to isolation
If you have a tidy and well-ordered home it feels welcoming and comfortable to guests. If your home is cluttered and untidy, it can mean you don't want people to come around due to embarrassment and this can lead to social isolation and feelings of sadness and loneliness. There is a definite and recognised overlap with those who suffer from a hoarding disorder and increased depression and anxiety. This can be exacerbated by feeling isolated.
Solutions for dealing with clutter
If you are struggling to get on top of the clutter in your house, Self-Storage may be a good solution to getting things more organised. Having a separate space away from your home where you can store things until you are ready to deal with them can make it much easier. This comes with the added bonus that you can feel the health benefits of a less cluttered home environment straight away! Storing items away from home can also help you to identify exactly what you have got. For more tips and advice on getting on top of your clutter - read our blog post 'De-cluttering and the Marie Kondo effect'
Don't forget...
Keep a list of what you are storing and make sure you understand the cost of replacement with new items for storage insurance purposes. For more information on Storage Insurance, including policy details - visit our website.