Clear space, clear mind: The mental health benefits of a tidy home

A tidy house means a tidy mind. When you have a healthy mind, you respond better in stressful situations. Psychological, emotional and physical well-being all impact how you interact with others and how you feel from day to day.

To achieve a healthy state of mind, you might choose to take time out for self-care, participate in talking therapies, engage in physical movement or explore nature. Your environment and a clean house can benefit and support your mind. If it's not fit for purpose, the environment can have a detrimental effect.

For many people, there's a clear link between clutter and their mental state.

Benefits of a clean home

You may feel your mess is ‘organised chaos’, but even if you thrive in an untidy environment, it can still negatively impact your mind.

Clutter can spike anxiety and stress levels, and a messy environment can cause distractions, which might mean you're less likely to focus on work or family. It can also cause you to feel overwhelmed and unable to prioritise tasks.

You might find it difficult to switch off and relax, especially if you don't have a comfortable, tidy space to retreat to.

On the other hand, a clutter-free environment can positively affect your mental health. Clear spaces promote peace and calmness, enabling you to carry out tasks with ease. Tidy surroundings improve efficiency at work as an organised space makes it easier to find documents, which, in turn, reduces work stress. A clear space can also help in social situations, promoting an inviting environment that lends itself to entertaining.

In the bedroom, clutter-free surroundings aid longer, deeper and more restful sleep, which has a host of knock-on benefits, including improved concentration, physical and emotional well-being and better mood.

What causes clutter?

Clutter can build unintentionally over time with a range of everyday items. Say goodbye to these clutter culprits to foster a tidier space.

• Junk under the bed: Putting various items under your bed can seem like a storage solution, but it's essentially clutter with a bed on top. If you’re lacking storage space, why not consider investing in smart storage solutions?
• Paperwork: If you know that you have got important paperwork by the side of your bed, on the floor, or on your dressing table, it won’t help you to feel calm at night. Store your paperwork safely and tidily in filing trays, drawers or cabinets downstairs or in a home office.
• Piles of clothes: Although it’s tempting, try not to leave piles of clothes on armchairs or on the floor. Clear your clutter and pop your dirty clothes in the washing basket, put clean items away, hang up your dresses or shirts, and get organised by picking your outfits for the week in advance.
• Books: Are you a keen reader? If so, you may have quite a few finished books hanging around in your bedroom. Instead of letting them collect dust there, store them away to reduce clutter.

How to tackle clutter

To really reap the benefits of a clean home, it's essential to assess each room to reduce clutter.

Living room

As the busiest room in the house, living rooms routinely accumulate random items like mugs, blankets, dishes and discarded clothing – fortunately, this kind of stuff is quite easy to sort. Start by clearing surfaces. Just being able to see them again can make a massive difference. Redistribute items that don't belong and add anything unwanted to your donation, rubbish or gifting boxes. Assess decorative items on display and remove any that don't add aesthetic value.

Kitchen

Kitchens can be complicated rooms to declutter. But that's not to say you shouldn't try. Pull everything out from cabinets, drawers and shelves. Throw away any expired food and old, unused spices or ingredients. See which small appliances you rarely use but could get away with storing out of sight – this could free up valuable worktop space. If you've got any duplicate utensils or cookware, keep those in the best condition and donate or gift the others.

Bedrooms

Minimising clutter is an essential part of relaxing. Start by clearing out wardrobes and bedside cabinets to make room for the stuff you use frequently. Donate or sell any clothes if you can't remember when you last wore them. For off-season fashion, store it away using vacuum-sealed bags for maximum efficiency.

Bathrooms

The bathroom is often fairly low on the priority list for decluttering. But a clean and tidy washroom can make a difference to your self-care routines. Anything that isn't part of your daily routine can be stored somewhere else or removed entirely. Get rid of expired medications, makeup, skincare and beauty products, and use organisers or baskets to keep daily essentials within reach. Hang towels and place bathmats neatly to make the space feel more organised. Some under-sink or tall, freestanding cabinets could give you much-needed storage to hide things that don't need to be on display.

Top self-care tips

Once you've decluttered and tidied, you can finally enjoy the benefits of a clean home. Here are some top self-care activities you can try.

1. Small acts of self-care: This might look like taking a warm bath or enjoying a book for an hour before bed. 
2. Tackle home chores with a timer: Breaking down cleaning tasks into bite-sized time frames makes chores seem less overwhelming and gets you back into a routine. 
3. Boost your vitamin D and discover new hobbies: Try a 15-minute walk at lunchtime to boost your vitamin D, accompanied by a new podcast or audiobook. 
4. Plan a fun and cosy night in: Invite your friends over for a bring-and-share night or have a cosy date at home.

Achieve a clutter-free space with Hammonds

At Hammonds, we have a range of home storage solutions to suit your space. Book a free design visit and find out how we can help you achieve a tidy home with our storage options. Request a free brochure for inspiration and get organising your home.