How Your Environment Affects Your Well-Being
Cluttered space, cluttered mind.
Clutter impacts both mental and physical health. Luckily, decluttering isn’t about having a showroom perfect home and life.
It’s about one thing – comfort. And we want you to feel comfortable when you’re at home, on your devices, and even in your own skin.
Let’s discuss how your environment affects your health, what you can do, and why getting started is easier than you think.
Plus, we’ll give you actionable strategies for decluttering – and enhancing – your surroundings.
The Relationship Between Your Environment and Your Health
Physical and digital environments can get cluttered. It happens.
We get busy. Things pile up. Before you know it, weeks have passed by and bundles of unfolded laundry are everywhere.
Does it mean we’re bad people with bad habits? Nope, absolutely not.
Clutter is something most people struggle with. So then, why is decluttering important?
Clutter harms your emotional and physical health.
Clutter can cause respiratory troubles and other health issues by harboring dust, mold, and other allergens. Plus, stacked or cluttered items can increase falls and injuries.
This doesn’t include the added stress that a messy home or office can create. Clutter contributes to overwhelming feelings of tension and worry. Not to mention the panic we feel when we realize, to quote the great Lady Gaga, “where are my keys? I lost my phone.”
Constantly living in a hectic, disorganized environment increases cortisol and lowers our overall well-being.
We’re tired and stressed just thinking about it.
Tips for Clearing Clutter and Improving Your Environment
What can you do to simplify your physical and digital space?
First, set a goal and a plan to make it happen. When setting a decluttering goal, decide if you’re going to make room, organize, or just decrease tension.
Creating a plan is the first step to keeping you motivated and on track to reach your goal.
How to Decluttering Your Physical Space
Take it One Room at a Time
Start with one room. Focus on decluttering that space before moving on to the next.
Sort Items into Three Categories
Keep, donate, and toss. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and what can go
Invest in Storage Solutions
Once you’ve decluttered, invest in storage solutions like shelves, baskets, and organizers to keep everything in its place.
Tips for Decluttering Your Digital Space
Remove Old Emails and Files
When you’re going through your computer, look for files and emails that you no longer require and delete them.
Put Some Order into Your Folders and Desktop
Make use of folders and sub-folders to ensure that your digital files are well-organized and simple to locate whenever you need them.
Reduce the time you spend on social media and other digital distractions by utilizing time-management applications or taking a break from social media altogether.
The Benefits of a Clutter-Free Environment
Studies have linked several factors to improved health after decluttering one’s environment.
Reduced risk of respiratory problems, falls, and injuries from clutter-free living spaces.
Clutter is a known stress and anxiety trigger, so clearing your space of clutter may help you relax and unwind.
Working in an uncluttered space can help concentrate easily, complete tasks quickly, and, better yet, feel inspired and ready to work.
Clearing clutter from your environment is a simple but effective way to improve your overall well-being.
By taking small steps to declutter your physical and digital space, you’ll soon experience a boost to better health.
So, why not start today? Your mind and body will thank you.
