Tidy Up Your Home for Better Mental Health

Physical clutter can lead to mental clutter: If your home or workspace is messy, it may be increasing your anxiety (even subconsciously) by overloading your senses.

But fortunately, a peaceful, organized space where your family can be clear-minded, productive, creative and content — where you can all truly thrive — is well within reach.

It’s not just about cleansing your environment of clutter; tidying up your space at work or at home can also help you refocus on the things that make you happy. Being more intentional about your belongings can bring you more joy and inner peace.

Here are some ways that being more organized can boost your whole health:

• You can find things more easily, reducing stress
• You can feel more in control of your surroundings
• You can feel positive about your environment
• Your spaces will be cleaner and healthier
• The intentional things around you will spark memories
• You may feel more gratitude for the things in your life
• You can be more productive with your time

How to Approach Tidying Up

You can tidy up in many ways, but consider starting in a specific order — like beginning with non-sentimental items and working yourself up to the sentimental ones, which can be a little more challenging to whittle down.

1. Clothes
2. Books
3. Papers
4. Miscellaneous items (kitchen, garage, etc.)
5. Sentimental items (pictures, old letters, childhood items, family heirlooms, etc.)

Someone Else’s Treasure

As you sort through different items, decide what needs to be thrown away and what could potentially be useful to someone else. Make a special pile for things that should be donated or gifted. Take these items to a secondhand store, save them for your next neighborhood garage sale, or offer them to family or friends.

Make It Easy to See and Nice to Look At

Now that you’ve narrowed your belongings down to those that are most essential and most meaningful, you’re ready to organize them. Remember that every item should have a special placement and be easily accessible so it’s effortless to keep them tidy when they’re not in use.

Calm Spaces, Calm Minds

Tidying your home is a great way to care for your mental health and be mindful about your environment. You may discover a sense of accomplishment once your daily surroundings are more functional — and lovelier to look at.

Organizing your space is one way you can find calm and feel whole. For more support in attaining better mental health, please reach out to AdventHealth's behavioral health services.