Clutter & Your Health
Written by Debra Kirchhof-Glazier
Spring cleaning is an age-old ritual that often accompanies the season of renewal. I recall my mother cleaning out closets and washing the curtains, bedspreads, and even the walls in a springtime frenzy that left our house gleaming. Few of us have time to do that any more in our complex and busy world. However, one thing all of us can do is tackle our clutter, and spring is a great time for it.
Peter Walsh, a professional organizer, defines clutter as “anything that gets between you and the life you’d like to be living.” Since optimal health reflects the ability to live in harmony with one’s values, his statement merits some serious consideration.
Clutter can be detrimental to our health in many ways and at many different levels. On a practical level, sorting through clutter trying to find something you need is time-consuming and adds to an already high stress level. Objects on the floor can be a tripping hazard, and some can even be a health hazard, depending on the nature and condition of the item.
The location of clutter can also have an impact on our health. For example, if the bed is piled with things that prevent us from freely moving, sleep can be compromised. If our kitchens are crammed with objects it is more likely that we will eat processed food that we can simply move from the refrigerator to the microwave. It takes ample counter space to prepare the whole foods that are required for good nutrition and a healthy body weight.
Clutter has an effect on our emotional and mental state. Even those of us with a high tolerance for clutter usually feel better when things are more organized. A tidy room gives us the feeling that things are in control, which can provide a welcome oasis in a chaotic world and even help relieve some forms of depression.
Sometimes clutter is beyond our control. Dr. David Tolin, Director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living in Hartford and an adjunct associate professor of psychiatry at Yale, points out that people who have suffered an emotional trauma or a brain injury often find housekeeping an insurmountable task. Also those suffering from attention deficit disorder, depression, chronic pain, or grief often do not have the ability to get or stay organized. In addition, there is an extreme form of clutter resulting from compulsive hoarding, which some psychiatrists feel merits the status of a mental illness.
For those who are trying to lose weight, Pamela Peeke, M.D., author of the book Fit to Live,recommends creating one clean and organized space in the home as a helpful factor. Weight loss will be enhanced by keeping a gym bag with workout clothes and sneakers in that uncluttered area for high visibility and easy access. Dr .Peeke recalls one patient who lost 50 pounds after cleaning up a home where the garage was described as “a solid cube of clutter.”
If we decide that the time has come to be more organized, it is important to keep things in perspective. It is impossible to live in a continual state of precision and neatness. Even if we are committed to a daily regimen of organization, it is a fact of life that there is not enough time to return things to order every single day. Dr. Peeke recommends 80% of the time as a good rule of thumb.
Ronit Zweig, PsyD, a professional organizer, provides the following five steps to creating and maintaining an organized space in a great article on the subject entitled “Is Clutter Affecting Your Health?” in the January 2009 issue of the holistic health magazine Natural Solutions. I took the liberty to add some points and comments in conjunction with her recommendations. The full article, which also includes a simple quiz you can take to determine the level of clutter in your home, can be found by clicking on the Search button of the website http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/ and entering the information.
First, toss the trash. This will make a major difference even before you start any cleaning. To maintain order, make a habit of effectively managing your trash, including your junk mail. Rather than throwing it on the floor or on a pile, dispatch the item immediately into your recycle or trash bin.
Second, tackle what you can see first. Closets and drawers can wait. The clutter we see and walk by each day has the most power to bother us, either consciously or unconsciously.
Third, figure out what you need and use. If you haven’t used something for six months, get rid of it if it is broken, donate it if it still has value, or set it aside for a yard sale. Often the hardest part about de-cluttering is getting rid of items given to us by our loved ones. It is important to keep in mind that we don’t have to save every single keepsake. Having fewer items will not diminish the memories.
Fourth, set up organizing systems. Inexpensive bins and organizers are readily available. For specific ideas and tips see Peter Walsh’s comprehensive website at http://www.peterwalshdesign.com/
Fifth, take baby steps. A cluttered room often reflects years or decades of accumulation, and it will take time to address it. Set aside a specific time period to commit to the task, and keep at it. In the big picture, begin to increase your awareness when you shop. Do you really need that purchase?
Whether you organize on your own or get some help from a friend or a professional, your hard work will pay off in more peace of mind and spirit. Spring cleaning may be healthier than you think. Good luck!