People Who Don't Clean Their Homes for Days Ignore This Message Their Mind Tries to Send, According to Psychologists - Psychologies.com
What if our way of organizing our space says a lot about our mental health? Here’s what an expert suggests.
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What if our way of organizing our space says a lot about our mental health? Here’s what an expert suggests.
When we talk about organization, we inevitably think of the queen of tidiness, the Japanese Marie Kondo. The expert is particularly known for launching her own organizing method and publishing her iconic book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. According to her, decluttering your space, sorting, or cleaning is not just a mental load: it positively impacts our mental health. "The goal of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel the joy of living in that environment," she emphasizes. One of her keys to ensuring mental well-being? "Keep only what brings you joy." And according to science, our way of organizing our space can reveal a lot about our personality and mental state.
A Disorganized Home Reveals Fatigue, Stress, and Depression
In a study shared by PubMed, it is discovered that clutter and disorganization have a cumulative effect on our brain. In reality, our brain loves order, and constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources, thus reducing our ability to concentrate. Therefore, a disorganized space can translate into and lead to deep fatigue, intense stress, or depressive symptoms.
According to a study published in 2010, women who described their homes as disorganized had lower cortisol levels throughout the day, indicating increased stress.
Your Home is Well Organized
Conversely, if you have an organized and tidy space, you are more likely to have peace of mind. A structured environment naturally supports your mental clarity, alleviates cognitive load, and facilitates a sense of control in daily life.
Studies are clear: a tidy and organized space can contribute to better concentration, a more intense sense of calm, and improved emotional balance. Hence the importance of tidying up your space to soothe your mind.
How to Organize Your Space and Mind Effectively?
Among Marie Kondo's best tips, the top recommendation is to sort by category rather than by room, for example: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, memories. Then, simply ask yourself whether keeping an item brings you joy or not.
Give yourself a full day for tidying up: this allows for a more effective "reset" of the brain rather than doing it in multiple sessions. By following these tips, you ensure you are taking care of your mental health. Isn’t that the best gift of all?