Why is a cluttered house stressing me out?

Bursting cupboards and piles of paper stacked around the house may seem harmless enough. But research shows disorganisation and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains. Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on www1.racgp.org.au

Why do I get so stressed when my house is messy?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on psychologytoday.com

How do I stop stressing about a messy house?

5 Ways to Stress Less About Cleaning
  1. Short Sprints Not Marathons. No one wants to think about setting aside 5 hours to clean the whole house. ...
  2. Keep Your Eye On the Prize. ...
  3. Keep your mind busy. ...
  4. Schedule It. ...
  5. Do What You Can & Be Realistic.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cleanmyspace.com

Why do I get so overwhelmed with clutter?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

Can living in a messy house cause anxiety?

Mental Health

Researchers have found that a cluttered home contributes to stress, anxiety, and poor concentration. When a person's home is dirty, they may begin to feel overwhelmed, out of control, and anxious. Having a clean, accessible home can also make daily routines much easier.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on almaviacounseling.com

How clutter negatively impacts your health

33 related questions found

What is ADHD clutter?

Some ADHD experts believe that a cluttered desk, closet, or house reflects a disorganized mind; others take it as a sign of genius. A lot of adults with ADHD, including me, agree with the latter opinion. Either view can be true, depending on the individual and the degree of his disorganization.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on additudemag.com

Is clutter a trauma response?

Excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a brain injury often find housecleaning an insurmountable task.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nytimes.com

How do you mentally let go of clutter?

  1. How to Get Rid of Clutter When You Have Trouble Letting Go of Things.
  2. 1- Practice helps let go of clutter.
  3. 2- Ask, "What do I want to keep?" rather than "What do I want to get rid of?"
  4. 3- Think of the people who could benefit from the items you're no longer using.
  5. 4- Picture your "after."
  6. 5- Do a test run.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on justagirlandherblog.com

What is clutter a symptom of?

Behavioral/psychological: Clutter caused by depression, attention deficit disorder, low self-esteem or lack of personal boundaries.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on denverpost.com

Is too much clutter ADHD?

“Cluttering is another behavior typical in folks with ADHD. Leaving items out as visual cues is a common way of compensating for an unreliable memory or inadequate time-management system, but to the untrained eye it can resemble hoarding,” she says.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on chadd.org

Is it normal to always have a messy house?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on capitalhire.com.au

Does a clean house reduce stress?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellmind.com

Where do you start when a messy house is overwhelmed?

Choose Somewhere to Start
  1. The floor - Sit and tidy or sort piles of mail or books, grab a broom and sweep up crumbs, or vacuum the living room rug. ...
  2. The kitchen sink - Wash any dishes in the sink or load the dishwasher, then give the sink itself a good scrub. ...
  3. The laundry hamper - Start by throwing in a load of laundry.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merrymaids.com

Is clutter a symptom of depression?

Sometimes, living with anxiety, depression, or stress brings on clutter. If you're overwhelmed by sadness or other negative emotions, you might not have the energy to clean and organize. Or, you might use shopping or accumulating things to manage your feelings.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on share.upmc.com

Are people with messy rooms depressed?

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. Your child can get caught in a cycle of messiness that worsens their mental health and vice versa.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sandstonecare.com

What is the urge to get rid of everything?

Compulsive decluttering is a type of disorder that is classified within a broad name, obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD. Compulsive decluttering is the act of throwing items, or clutter, away, or getting rid of them in an attempt to "clean up" what one with the disorder may think is cluttered.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

What does clutter say about a person?

“A clutter-free environment might suggest someone who is not able to tolerate the untidiness or uncertainty inherent in life and relationships.”

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on domain.com.au

What are the 5 stages of hoarding?

The 5 Stages of Hoarding: What are They?
  • Clutter, but no concern. ...
  • Deteriorating hygiene, possible hoarder. ...
  • Extreme disorganization, likely disorder. ...
  • Excessive clutter & behavior, contact professionals. ...
  • Severe unsanitary conditions, hoarding diagnosis.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on valortechnicalcleaning.com

Is it hoarding or ADHD clutter?

A key difference between ADHD and hoarding disorder is the reason why people have so many possessions. A person with symptoms of ADHD may be untidy or live in a cluttered home because they are unable to organise their things whereas a hoarder will have a specific reason why they can't let go of something they own.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on adhdcentre.co.uk

Why do I feel the need to keep everything?

We may be compulsive hoarders.

Hoarding is related to anxiety and depression and can be a way for people feeling those symptoms to cope. If a person has clinically significant hoarding behavior, professional help may be needed.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on amybucherphd.com

Why can't I let go of old stuff?

There's the phenomenon know as the endowment effect, which is this idea that once we have this item or own an item, it's much more difficult for us to let go of that item. We value that item much more highly than we would if we didn't “own” that item. So there's a built-in mechanism that we have to save things.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on buzzfeed.com

What does clutter say about your mental health?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on www1.racgp.org.au

What are the 4 types of clutter?

“There are four types of clutter: paper, digital, emotional, and spiritual,” she says. “Physical and digital clutter are symptoms of emotional and spiritual clutter.” Years ago, Hemphill started as a professional organizer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fastcompany.com

What 3 habits are trauma responses?

  • Isolating. “I spend a lot of time alone in my room because it is my safe haven. ...
  • Being the 'Life of the Party' “Being the life of the party. ...
  • Avoiding Public Places. ...
  • Holding Back Emotions. ...
  • Oversleeping. ...
  • Feeling Uncomfortable Around New People. ...
  • Skin Picking. ...
  • Fearing Abandonment.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on themighty.com

What are two types of clutter?

Here is the 5 common types of clutter :
  • USEFUL CLUTTER. Defined as: Items that have use. ...
  • ABUNDANCE CLUTTER. Defined as: Multiples of one item. ...
  • HOMELESS CLUTTER. Defined as: Items that have no home. ...
  • ASPIRATIONAL CLUTTER. Defined as: Items with potential. ...
  • SENTIMENTAL CLUTTER. Defined as: Items with memories.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on littlemissorganised.com.au