You may be surprised to learn that living in a cluttered home is bad for your health, safety and overall well-being. Not only does clutter increase your risk of injury in the home, but it can also aggravate respiratory problems and cause unnecessary stress. While you may not notice all the clutter taking over your home, your body can feel the effects. Read on to learn why it’s important to keep your home clutter-free for your health, safety and sanity.
Health
Cluttered homes contain more dust and dust mites which can make respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies worse. As there is more stuff in your home, there are more areas for dust to accumulate. When there’s more stuff to clean, the task can feel overwhelming, which makes us less likely to do it. Think about it practically, are you really taking the time to dust each and every item on your stacked bookcase? Probably not. To cut down your cleaning time and the number of items that need to be dusted, clearing the clutter is key.
Having too many items in your home can also lead to an increase in the stress hormone called cortisol. An increase in cortisol can cause weight gain, depression and unnecessary stress in your everyday life. Who would have thought that a little, or a lot, of clutter, could lead to such health issues? But it doesn’t stop there. Clutter can also impact the safety of your home.
Safety
One way clutter impacts your safety is by causing tripping hazards. If walking through your home is like trying to navigate a maze, you should probably spend some time clearing usable walkways. This way you can ensure you don’t accidentally trip over something, fall and injure yourself. It’s not just for you but for others who may visit your home. Imagining inviting a friend over only for them to trip over a pile of books on the ground. They could seriously injure themselves or just be embarrassed, but either way, it’s a situation that’s easily avoidable just by clearing the clutter.
Another reason you want to ensure you have a clutter-free home is in the case of a fire. You want to make sure it’s easy to evacuate your home without having to worry about tripping on your way out. In addition, loose pieces of paper and other household items can contribute to a growing house fire and act as kindling.
Sanity
When it comes to your mental health and clutter, more mess equals more stress. Did you know that a messy home can actually contribute to sleepless nights, lack of focus and raising your anxiety and stress levels? This is because our brains are wired to like organization. When we see piles of loose papers, counters covered in dishes and towers of dirty laundry throughout our homes, it wears away at us mentally.
Constantly seeing clutter can make it hard for our brains to focus and process information. This could be why you’re finding it difficult to adjust to working from home while also being at home more. If you can’t be bothered to clear the clutter from your entire home, focus on making your workspace clutter-free so your brain has an organized space to recharge in.
Pros That Can Help Clear the Clutter
It’s clear to see that having a cluttered home has several negative effects that impact not only your health but your safety and sanity too. While clearing your home of all clutter may seem like a big undertaking, there are plenty of pros that are willing to help. Consider hiring a professional organizing service if things are really messy. They will be able to help you distinguish between what you should keep and what can go. They will also work with you to help you maintain your newfound organization in a way that works for you.
Once your home is clutter-free, you can get a cleaning company to come in to make it really sparkle. Last but not least, consider having an air duct cleaning company come out to internally rid your home of any remaining dust particles. Whether you decide to clear the clutter yourself or hire some professional help, the main goal is to have a tidy home. Take some time to clear the clutter for a better home.
