Why too much clutter is bad for your health

If you live with a lot of stuff, you may think: "Hey, I'm fine. I've got everything I need." But there's a difference between having a lot of stuff and having too many things that don't serve your needs.

The more clutter you have in your home — especially if it's old and unused— the more likely you'll experience feelings of stress, overwhelm, and potentially even anxiety and depression.

A tidy, clutter-free home feels relaxing and more spacious and has been proven to affect mental health positively.

If you're finding your home a bit stressful due to all the clutter, here are some of the reasons you should think about decluttering.

Clutter can lead to feelings of overwhelm and lower your productivity

Clutter can make it hard to find things. For example, if your desk is covered with papers and notes, it will take longer to find what you need.

If clutter makes it hard to find things you need or want, then it makes sense that it can lead to feelings of overwhelm.

When you're overwhelmed, you’re not at your most productive, so having too much clutter around that’s getting in the way of what you need is going to lower your productivity, which in turn leads to more feelings of overwhelm, and then you're stuck in this vicious cycle.

This can lead to deeper feelings of frustration, anxiety, depression, and a sense that you have no control over your life.

Clutter Can Attract Pests

Although it's an extreme example, clutter left for a long time, or that starts getting out of control can quickly become a big problem - especially if it involves anything perishable such as food, rubbish, or even if you have pets.

The more stuff you have just lying around your house, the more germs, bacteria, and dirt will grow, and the greater the chance of attracting bugs and mice - not only are these pretty disgusting to think about, but they pose a genuine health hazard. They can be costly to get rid of, too.

Clutter Makes It Difficult To Relax

Your home should be a haven where you feel relaxed, but if it’s full of clutter and mess, it's hard to relax or be comfortable in your own space. The knock-on effect is that the more stressed and uncomfortable you feel, the less likely you are to feel like tidying up, so the clutter starts to become uncontrollable.

Decluttering can help your mental health and wellbeing

If you're struggling with clutter, it's not just a visual problem. Clutter can create confusion and anxiety, making it difficult to focus on anything else. It can also cause strained relationships within your household if others constantly trip over a mess they've not created and want to live in a tidy home.

We hope this post has helped you understand the importance of decluttering your home and its benefits on your overall well-being.

You may wonder how to start decluttering when so many things need attention, and it feels too much. Don’t be hard on yourself. Make a plan, and start small, one space at a time.