Lower Your Stress, Clean Up Your Mess



From comicstripblog.com

Technology can only go so far in helping us with work/life balance. If you feel stressed out but don't know why, you may need to clean up and organize your living space.

According to Dr. Manny Alvarez, Senior Managing Health Editor of FoxNews.com and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, in a video from FoxNews.com, you can lower your stress by cleaning up clutter.

Personally, I cannot stand a messy room. Whenever I go to my friend's house, I automatically start to clean because the moment I set foot in her apartment, I feel anxiety and stress over the sheer clutter and dirtiness I see. Dishes are piled up, used water glasses cover the end tables and clothes are everywhere. But not everyone has the same level of organizational ability, which is why professional organizers are popular.

The article "Housekeeping Tips for Less Stress" from March 2009, mentions that cluttered homes are the norm. I think this may be a contributing factor as to why so many people of all ages feel stressed. Our lives are busy and technology allows us to multitask so we constantly feel rushed or off-focus, making it hard to quench feelings of stress. If we are welcomed after work by a messy, unorganized house, our stress level increases.



Which makes you feel less stressed? From devineorder.com

Messy homes hurt more than your mental energy, they also waste money. According to "Home Relaxation" from about.com, people who don't have a specific place for their belongings often forget where they are or buy more of the product. For example, my friend has about seven jars of peanut butter because she forgot she had them.

Lack of organization can also inhibit your ability to succeed. Tom R. an expert on EzineArticles.com, which is a database of expert writers and authors, says in his article

In fact, many experts will tell you that lack of organization is not only a major cause of stress but it is also a major cause of failing to achieve your goals in life. That's right. By becoming more organized, you can decrease your stress levels as well as increase your chances of achieving success in your life.

Psychologically, this makes sense. How can we keep our mind clutter and stress free if we are constantly bombarded with a messy home environment. Throughout my study of psychology, studies have shown that children who grow up in a clutter-free, organized and clean home are better able to adapt to their surroundings.

Below is a viral video about a woman who lives in a 90-square-foot apartment in Manhattan. Notice how stress-free she seems, all because she's able to maintain an organized home, despite its small size.