The Benefits of Organizing (More Than Just a Tidy Home!)

We all know that getting our space organized and decluttered is a good thing, but did you know that organizing can actually be good for your mental, physical and social well-being?

Not convinced? Have a peek...
 

DREAMING ABOUT A CLUTTER-FREE SPACE ISN'T HELPING YOU SLEEP

We generally understand the value of a good nights sleep - it's imperative for optimal immune health, emotional stability and cognitive functions, such as memory, decision-making, and the capacity to focus.

But with sleep disorders on the rise, leading experts on the subject believe a cluttered bedroom could be to be blame.

According to Michael Breus (aka the Sleep Doctor,) “When you walk into a room, what your eye sees can actually determine whether or not you’re going to have an easy time falling asleep.” A pile of laundry at the foot of your bed, a ransacked closet, or random papers and unopened mail on your night stand, could all be contributing to a restless night. That’s why the first thing Breus advises patients with sleep complaints is, “Clean up your bedroom.”

HEALTHY EATING STARTS WITH... A TIDY KITCHEN?

A recent study found that a cluttered kitchen can nudge us to overeat.

To test their theory, researchers set up two kitchens - One kitchen was neat and tidy. The other was strewn with mail, newspapers and dirty dishes. The participants were provided with snacks - cookies, crackers and carrots - and told they could as much as they like. When the study was complete, they discovered the participants in the messy kitchen had consumed twice as many calories from cookies as those in the tidy kitchen. (an interesting note: there was no difference in the rate of consumption of carrots or crackers.)

"We think we're smarter than the environment around us," Wansick said. "That's why these external cues are so powerful. We're often not even aware that they are influencing our behavior."

STOP FEELING STRESSED WHEN THE DOORBELL RINGS

An organized home makes it easier to have people over without the stress of cleaning and preparation. It has also been shown to reduce family conflicts and resentment and tension between couples.

Once your home is clean and clutter-free, it is easier to maintain the level of cleanliness you desire: A study found that people are significantly more likely to litter in already-messy environments than they are in clean environments. The same theory applies to the home — when you have a clean, relaxing space, you're more likely to keep it that way. 

PRODUCTIVE MINDS LIKE CLEAR SPACES

No real surprises here, but when your home feels like a place of restoration instead of 'unfinished projects,' you'll feel more energized and productive being there.

The Journal of Neuroscience reports efficiency and productivity increase when you're not weighed down by clutter and the distractions of your space. This also flows over to the workplace - excess clutter has been shown to result in decreased productivity and unprofessional behavior.

 

STRESS LESS (AND ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT) 

It can be hard to clear out the clutter, but it can be even harder to keep living with it.

According to an online survey, home organization is one of the most universal stress triggers. 84% of recently stressed Americans say they worry that their home isn’t clean or organized enough, and within that group, 55% called it out as a source of recent stress. 

Should you find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed in your home or office, please give us a call. It's important to remember that we all have different strengths - for the Room to Breathe team, that strength is creating organizational systems that actually work and help you maintain order in your home or office. We are here to help, without judgement, and in much less time than you might think. 

This blog post was written by Jessica Thorburn - Our Vancouver-based Marketing and Administration Superstar.