Updated by David Johns
Keeping your home tidy is an easy way to decrease stress
Coming home to a messy or cluttered house at the end of a long workday is not conducive to relaxation. It’s that simple.
Recent studies show a correlation between mental wellness and a cluttered house. For instance, in a 2016 survey by the University of Mexico, it was discovered that clutter directly interferes with our ability to feel pleasure in a space. It was also discovered that clutter in our homes is associated with higher cortisol levels [our stress hormone].
Stress over time can be devastating to our health, so it is crucial to make our homes into a place of peace and refuge from the cares of the outside world. Keeping your home tidy is an easy way to decrease stress.
Benefits of Reducing Stress
It’s no secret that stress is detrimental to our health. Not only can it lead to heart problems, but there have also been suggested links to cancer and dementia as well. Putting some time aside each day to relax, and to have a peaceful space where you can let go of your worries, may aid your physical health. It may also help reduce your risk of high blood pressure or heart attacks.
Overall, it’s a good idea to make sure you have a space you can relax every single day. Cleaning your home and making sure it is organized can help create that environment.
Organization Practices
Keep shoes at the door: Ensure not to wear shoes past the entryway. Just think about where these shoes have trodden during the day, and how much dirt and germs they will be introducing into your home. It is better to contain this at the doorway. Make sure to add enough shelves to store your shoe, and ensure to keep a natural fiber rug at the doorway so you can scuff off any dirt from your shoes.
Make your bed every morning: Taking two minutes or less to make your bed every morning will not only keep your home tidier but will also reduce your stress level and promote happiness.
Always put things away after usage: Actually, it is a lot easier to pick items up and put them in their place as you go rather than having to wait for a “cleaning session”. Ensure that everything has its own place.
Wash your dishes after use: It is tempting to want to pile up dishes and wash them at a later time. However, waking up to a clean kitchen and coming home to a decluttered kitchen after a long day can help you relax.
Focus on the Bedroom
If you focus on creating a relaxing environment in one room, make it your bedroom. This should be your sanctuary from the rest of the world. It is the place where you unwind, reset and relax at the end of your day. It is very important that this space is not disrupted with clutter and a lack of cleanliness meaning that you’re more likely to get increased anxiety and a poor night's sleep.
Additionally, keep your chest of drawers tidy by using dividers so your clothes won’t be mixed and messy. Using multiple waste bins around the room can keep floors clear. If you are tight on space, you can transform your headboard into shelving, which can double as a nightstand as well.
Also adding scented candles in your preferred fragrance or using warmed oils can aid in relaxation. Hang soothing art and use light fixtures that make you feel at home in your bedroom.
Whatever you do, make sure you keep your room feeling light and as stress-free as possible. This is the place you sleep, perhaps meditate, and should be a place of calm serenity.
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