Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Have you ever walked through the front door and found yourself overwhelmed by scattered papers, unwashed dishes, and messy clothes? Have you ever had an argument because you were more concerned about yourself than your partner or housemate?
You are not alone. Many people report that a cluttered home can cause feelings such as: stress and anxiety.
So why do some of us get so overwhelmed by clutter and confusion? Here’s what the research says and what you can do about it.
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Read more: Sorry, men, there is no such thing as “dirty blindness” – you just need to do more housework
cognitive overload
When surrounded by distractions, our brain essentially becomes: battlefield To pay attention. Everything competes for our attention.
However, the brain ultimately prefer Order andsingle task” Beyond multitasking.
Order reduces competition for our attention and reduces mental strain. Some people are better than others; ignore distractionsa distracting environment can overload our cognitive abilities and memory.
Clutter, disorder, and confusion can affect more than just our cognitive resources.They are also linked to us eat, Productivitymental health, child rearing even the decision or intention to donate. money.
![A woman looks at the camera while standing in a messy room.](https://images.theconversation.com/files/544129/original/file-20230823-29-e5v7ai.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip)
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Are women more susceptible than men?
Research shows that the negative effects of clutter and clutter may be more pronounced in women than in men.
One study Among 60 working couples, women who lived in cluttered and stressful homes had higher cortisol levels. hormone associated with stress), worsening symptoms of depression.
These effects remained consistent even when factors such as marital satisfaction and personality traits were taken into account. In contrast, the men in this study appeared to be largely unaffected by the state of their home environment.
Researchers theorized that women may feel a greater responsibility for maintaining the household. They also suggested that the social aspects of the study (such as conducting home visits) may have caused more fear of judgment in women than in men.
We all end up living with some level of chaos and confusion in our lives. However, in some cases, serious clutter issues can be linked to underlying mental health conditions, such as: Obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding disorder, major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorderand anxiety disorder.
This raises an important question: Which came first? For some people, clutter can be a source of anxiety and distress. For some, poor mental health can be a source of confusion and confusion.
Not all confusion is a problem
It’s important to remember that clutter isn’t all bad, and you shouldn’t aim for perfection. The real house is different from the house you see in magazines.
In fact, an unorganized space is Creativity and unlock fresh insights.
Living in a constant state of disarray isn’t productive, but striving for perfectionism in cleanliness can also be counterproductive. Perfectionism itself can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, poor mental health.
![A man cleans a house that is already tidy.](https://images.theconversation.com/files/544133/original/file-20230823-26-jq020l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip)
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I feel anxious when it gets dirty, what should I do?
It’s important to remember that you have some agency over what’s important to you and how you prioritize your time.
One approach is to try reducing clutter. For example, let’s say you have a dedicated tidying session every week. This might include hiring a cleaner (if you can afford it) or playing music or a podcast while you clean up for her hour with other family members.
Establishing this routine will reduce distractions from clutter, reduce your overall mental strain, and reduce your worry that clutter will get too out of control.
You might also want to try microtiding. If you don’t have time for a thorough clean, give him just five minutes to tidy up one small space.
If the clutter is primarily caused by other members of your family, try calmly discussing how this clutter is affecting your mental health. Set some boundaries as a family for your children, your partner, or your housemate about what level of disruption is acceptable and how it will be handled if that threshold is crossed. See if you can negotiate.
![A man and a child are sorting laundry together.](https://images.theconversation.com/files/544135/original/file-20230823-19-ng1nw0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip)
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It also helps you develop a more compassionate mindset towards yourself.
Confusion does not define whether you are a “good” or “bad” person. Creativity. Remind yourself that you deserve success, meaningful relationships, and happiness, whether your office, home, or car is a mess or not.
Please be comfortable the study This suggests that while disorganized environments are more susceptible to stress and poor decision-making, mindset may buffer these vulnerabilities.
If your clutter, perfectionism, or anxiety starts to seem out of control, talk to your doctor about a medical referral. psychologist. The right psychologist (you may need to try a few before finding the right one) can help you build a life based on the values that are important to you.
Clutter and confusion are more than just visual nuisances. They can have a huge impact on mental health, productivity, and the choices we make.
When you understand why clutter affects you, you can take control of your mindset, your living space, and ultimately your life.
Read more: Men are aware of the confusion – they just aren’t judged for it like women are