Most often, a house that is so messy that it is unsafe or unlivable is a sign of an underlying mental health issue. While you might judge others for “laziness” when their homes are messy, they often do not want to live this way. They likely have no support to treat their mental illness or any family members to help.
Psychology says that messiness can indeed be a sign that a person is having trouble. Just like someone who is suffering from OCD and has to control everything, being a messy person might show that they are dealing with depression or some other mental illness.
Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.
Sometimes, a messy house can be a sign of hoarding disorder. Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to accumulate an excessive amount of things with no real value. Some experts think it's related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while others say it's related to dementia.
If you don't clean your house, it might mean you are busy and have little time to clean and organize. It might be a sign that you have too much stuff. Or it might be the result of having young kids in the house who are usually not motivated to clean up after themselves.
If you feel bad for not getting on the Marie Kondo bandwagon, don't. Having a messy home can actually be a sign of intelligence and creativity. According to research people who live in an untidy environment tend to be more open minded and clever.
oinker (slang) pig [⇒ thesaurus] (figurative) schlep. schlump (slang) scruff.
Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren't necessary or important. Clutter distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on. Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.
It's completely normal to have a messy house. If it isn't impacting your sleep, stress, or focus, and isn't unsanitary, then there is no need to panic. You don't need to pressure yourself into cleaning for hours on end, trying to make your home seem completely organized all the time.
There is also a link between anxiety and messy rooms. Studies have shown that clutter produces anxiety as well as making people feel depressed. One study of mothers living in cluttered homes found that they had higher-than-average levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
A messy room can be a sign of depression or another mental health issue. Clutter affects your mood and can cause more anxiety or stress.
Creatives tend to have a messier space because they don't lose themselves in small details, their brain is trained to see the big picture and this is why putting a pen back in a drawer is not a priority.
Diogenes syndrome is when a person does not take care of themselves or their surroundings, leading to poor hygiene and possibly some health and social problems. It often occurs with other conditions, such as dementia. People with the condition often show signs of severe self-neglect, social isolation, and hoarding.
Intelligent People Tend To Be Messy
In a study by Kathleen Vohs, a psychological scientist, it was found that a messy desk promotes creative thinking and stimulates new ideas.
According to home organizers and experts in habit formation, anyone can learn to be neat, even if they've spent a lifetime doing the opposite.
Wachtel says that because this is a part of your personality, and who you are, people are not likely to change. "I've been messy my entire life," the doctor says. "It takes a lot of effort." Changing is not impossible, but because it would go against your personality, the transition could be a constant struggle.
Untidy people are more creative since they tend to challenge existing norms, explore new ideas, and experiment with new ways of thinking.
There is increasing evidence to suggest that a messy house affects both mental and physical health. In fact, a messy home can make you more susceptible to colds and flus as well as stress and anxiety. While keeping on top of housekeeping can be time-consuming, the health benefits make the time commitment well worth it.
By keeping your home clean, you can dramatically reduce your family's risk of suffering from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. In addition, you can also help to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses by regularly cleaning and disinfecting your home.
Psychologists correlate cleanliness and mental ease. It has been found that the idea of cleanliness and tidiness induce us to be more ethical, whereas, on the contrary if we feel ourselves in a neglected environment, a feeling of frustration can lead us to lie and cheat.
People with depression can often find themselves living in messy spaces. This is because feelings of hopelessness, low energy, and lack of motivation can make it hard to keep on top of everyday tasks, such as tidying.