Over time, our homes can become filled with meaningless, rarely used items. Living in a space filled with clutter can be an obstacle to a healthy, happy life. Simply eliminating meaningless clutter can have significant health benefits. The process of decluttering can be relatively easy and the positive effects can be profound.
Here are seven ways that decluttering can improve your mental and emotional health.
Helps protect the environment
Decluttering can also help protect the environment by minimizing waste. When you’re organized and decluttered, you’re less likely to create unnecessary waste and buy things that you don’t need or won’t use. The decluttering process also creates a great opportunity to sell or donate used items to give them a second life and keep them out of the landfill.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Living in a cluttered space causes stress. When your home is filled with unnecessary items, it reduces the functionality of the space within your home and creates a general feeling of chaos. Decluttering and organizing creates a sense of control and order, allowing you to more easily relax and enjoy your space.
Saves time and money
When your home is cluttered, you can easily lose track of items like cleaning supplies, ingredients, or tools. It’s easy to find yourself buying replacements only to locate the original item later amongst the clutter. Maintaining organization can help you avoid wasting money on duplicates and eliminate lost time from searching.
Promotes intentional living and gratitude
By evaluating the usefulness of each item in your home, you become more aware of what’s important. This process can help you develop a more intentional approach to your possessions and your life as a whole. You can learn to appreciate everything you have and make more thoughtful choices about the items you purchase and bring into your home.
Creates a sense of accomplishment
Completing the process of decluttering can be extremely rewarding. As you sort through your belongings and make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of, you'll feel a sense of control and empowerment. Seeing the results of your efforts – a clean and organized space – can boost your overall mood and motivation.
Improves relationships
A cluttered home can strain relationships. If you live with others, clutter can cause disagreements and can create tension and conflict. Decluttering and creating better organization can improve communication and cooperation in your household. It creates a more welcoming environment for guests, making it easier to entertain and connect with friends and family, and can also minimize stress when preparing for guests to arrive, making the time you spend with those guests more enjoyable.
Boosts physical health
Clutter can have a negative impact on your physical health. Dust, mold, and allergens can accumulate in cluttered spaces, leading to respiratory issues and other health problems. Decluttering your home can help you maintain a cleaner and healthier household environment. The physical activity involved in decluttering and organizing can also be a great way to promote healthy movement and moderate exercise.
Easy steps to get started
Decluttering your home is a great way to improve your overall quality of life. Creating a more organized space can reduce stress, boost productivity, and improve your health. Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the benefits!
- Start small: Choose one room, closet, or space in your home to get started
- Set goals: Establish what you want to accomplish and a clear plan for doing so
- Categorize: place items into the categories of keep, donate, sell, and discard
- Maintain: Create a schedule for regular decluttering
Donate! When you’re ready start the decluttering process, check out our reuse directory to find resources to help you donate, sell, or repair used items.
Green Disposal Guide: Not sure what to do with your stuff? Find information on the best way to recycle, reuse or dispose of items from your home on Hennepin County’s Green Disposal Guide.
