This is a psychological principle known as thought suppression. Thought suppression worsens anxiety when we are in our homes in isolation. The longer the period of isolation, the more likely it becomes for individuals to show signs of anxiety.
A messy home environment doesn't always cause stress or anxiety for people, but in an individual with anxiety, it can make a huge difference. If you struggle with anxiety, consider evaluating your home environment. A cluttered home can sometimes be an issue because it sits at the back of your mind on your to-do list.
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with agoraphobia is afraid to leave environments they know or consider to be safe. In severe cases, a person with agoraphobia considers their home to be the only safe environment.
Risk factors may include: Life stresses or loss that result in separation, such as the illness or death of a loved one, loss of a beloved pet, divorce of parents, or moving or going away to school. Certain temperaments, which are more prone to anxiety disorders than others are.
You may feel worried or anxious about your finances or job, your health or those close to you. Perhaps you feel bored, frustrated or lonely. It's important to remember that it's OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, for most of us, these feelings will pass.
Research has indicated that individuals with high emotional reactivity (high neuroticism) and introverted tendencies (low extroversion) are more likely to experience anxiety than other personality types [101].
Housing problems can affect our mental health in many different ways. But there are some common mental health problems that you may experience if you are struggling with your housing: If you live somewhere insecure or overcrowded, you might experience stress or anxiety.
Key Findings. New Jersey comes in as the number one best state to live in the US for your family's mental health in 2022. Data has shown that symptoms of mental illness among adults in New Jersey (16.14%) are lower than the national average in the US (21.1%)1.
A study conducted by Princeton University Neuroscience researchers found that a cluttered home environment impedes your ability to focus. When we have a hard time focussing, our mental faculties get worn down and frustration ensues, causing stress.
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.
INFP and INFJ: The Overthinkers
When it comes to these types, their anxiety can stem from an inclination to overthinking. Psychology Today defines overthinking as “an excessive tendency to monitor, evaluate, and attempt to control all types of thought,” something this INFJ knows all too well.
having a sense of dread, or fearing the worst. feeling like the world is speeding up or slowing down. feeling like other people can see you're anxious and are looking at you. feeling like you can't stop worrying, or that bad things will happen if you stop worrying.
The immune system may be weakened
Loneliness and the psychological stress of being indoors a lot are two feelings that can reach all-time highs when a person is not out of the house for long periods of time. Both can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to bacterial infections.
Without ample time under the big blue sky, you might begin to feel down and antsy, says Dr. Edwards, adding that you may have more trouble falling (and staying) asleep at night. Upon waking, "you might feel tired, groggy, or have low energy," she says. "Sunlight and fresh air help us with all of these issues.
If you don't feel like you can leave the house, you might assume you're just depressed. While not wanting to leave the house can be a symptom of depression, it's more likely you have another condition called agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces. Although agoraphobia isn't common, it's associated with anxiety.
Panic disorder
Panic attacks are intense, overwhelming and often uncontrollable feelings of anxiety. Physical symptoms can include trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness and sweating. If someone has repeated panic attacks they may have a panic disorder.
Physical signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder
Nausea, stomach pain, or digestive trouble. Fatigue or weakness. Insomnia or other sleep problems (i.e. waking up often) Increased heart rate or pounding heart.
People with anxiety often have thought patterns such as: Believing the worst will happen. Persistent worry. All-or-nothing thinking.
Overthinking is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), says Duke. GAD is characterized by the tendency to worry excessively about several things. “Someone can develop GAD due to their genes. Or it could be personality factors like the inability to tolerate uncertainty in life.
Many people with high level of intelligence lean towards over-thinking and keep analyzing everything that occurs in their life, their surroundings and beyond. Too much thinking can be exhausting at times, especially when your thoughts lead you to conclusions which vex and frustrate you.
Improve Your Mood
Additionally, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America indicates that the physical activity of cleaning coupled with the end result of a cleaner home helps reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and depressive symptoms. 8 Cleaning can also reduce fatigue and improve concentration.
Clutter can be a physical manifestation of mental health issues, Walsh tells WebMD. Those overwhelmed with "memory" clutter may have an undue preoccupation with things in the past and become depressed. Those who can't toss out items because they worry they will need them may be too anxious, he says.