How a Well-Maintained Home Can Boost Your Well-Being

How Property Maintenance Can Improve Your Mental Health

Declutter the Space

Experts have stated that a disorganized and messy home can contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Even during times when you don’t feel motivated to clean, tidying up space can help reduce anxiety levels, naturally calm the mind, and get your body moving in a controlled setting. The act of organizing your home provides a sense of accomplishment and reinforces control in one aspect of life.

Cleaning and a Sense of Calm

It has been proven that clutter can cause some individuals to experience discomfort, guilt, and even embarrassment, which leads to additional stress. The act of moving your body during household chores (regardless of how simple) is beneficial for alleviating built-up tension and worry. While not as extensive as a full-blown workout, the movement involved in day-to-day tasks is still important in maintaining a natural sense of calm.

Cleanliness and Mental Health 

When conducted in a mindful way, cleaning has been demonstrated to help improve the symptoms of several mental health issues.

A study conducted in 2015 by student and faculty researchers at Florida State University found that mindful student dishwashers—specifically those who focused on the smell of the soap, the warmth of the water, and the feel of the dishes—experienced a 27% decrease in nervousness and a 25% hike in mental inspiration. The control group, on the other hand, did not experience any of the same benefits, as they only passively completed the tasks.

The Negative Effects of Clutter and Mess

Although clutter is sometimes an indicator of increased creativity, the build-up of items and unfinished household tasks can also impact your mental health by interfering with your daily routines.

What is clutter? 

Clutter is defined as items that are strewn about in a disorganized fashion. This can happen anywhere within your home or other spaces (such as the office) where an accumulation of misplaced or unnecessary items begins to form.  

Clutter is not only limited to physical spaces but also has the ability to find its way into your digital devices, such as excessive emails or disorganized documents on a laptop.

How does clutter impact mental health?

Increased Stress Levels

Clutter, depending on the degree to which it has built up, can affect your ability to rest and feel relaxed within a space. In fact, one study found that women who reported more clutter in their homes produced higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol throughout the day when compared to other women who had less clutter.

Clutter is known to contribute to:

●      Household chaos

●      Poor parenting practices

●      Negative emotions

●      Stress

Trouble Controlling Impulses

In one study, results determined that when a cluttered environment was combined with an “out-of-control mindset”, participants were triggered to engage more in unhealthy eating behaviours. This research suggests that it can be more difficult to control your impulses when both your environment and mental health are in a stressful or chaotic state.

Decreased Well-Being

A lack of property maintenance can also contribute to the development of negative feelings about your home. In 2016, the Journal of Environmental Psychology published a study where researchers suggested that this happens because the idea of home is more than simply where you live. 

The study suggests your home is instead a collection of situations, experiences, and meanings that help shape who you are as an individual. As a result, the state of your home has a direct impact on your overall well-being.

The Advantages of Property Maintenance

Extends Property Life

Property of any kind (whether you rent or own) is a hefty investment. Maintaining a space well, including regular cleaning, can help extend the expected lifespan. Avoiding the rapid deterioration and improving the functionality of your home not only makes financial sense but also has the potential to positively impact your overall health by minimizing unnecessary stress.

Preserve Market Value

A property that has been neglected long-term is more likely to lose its market value than a well-maintained property. By constantly performing property maintenance checks, repairs, and servicing (including routine organization and cleaning), you can manage to save significantly in the future. Taking care of your home should be viewed as both an investment in your own well-being, as well as the future.

Improve Mental Health

When a space is well-maintained, it has been proven to directly impact your overall morale, as well as productivity. A disorganized environment often makes it difficult to focus and can encourage procrastination. Taking pride in your home not only ensures it remains functional but also motivates you to have a more positive outlook on the world.

Maintaining Your Property Can Improve Your Mental Health

A Sense of Order and Control 

Clutter has been linked to procrastination, feeling overwhelmed, and a lower quality of life. It’s a known fact that our outer environments can influence our emotional and physical states. Therefore, the more organized your home is, the better you will feel internally.

Familiarity and Consistency

Having a stable environment—even during otherwise chaotic moments—can help build familiarity and comfort into your everyday routine. Maintaining order throughout your home has been shown to help enhance your mood. Building stability into your surroundings can be done in a variety of different ways, and should be catered to your specific needs.

Reducing Anxiety

Research has suggested that spaces with clutter (or full of unfinished projects) are more likely to result in increased fatigue or depression. When surrounded by excessive clutter or disorganization, a person’s visual cortex can be overwhelmed by objects not related to a particular task, making it harder to focus and complete projects efficiently.

Clutter has been linked to: 

●      Confusion

●      Tension

●      Irritability

On the other hand, organized homes have a tendency to produce: 

●      More positive emotions

●      Calmness

●      A sense of well-being

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America indicates that the physical activity of cleaning, coupled with the end result of a cleaner home, helps reduce:

●      Stress

●      Feelings of anxiety

●      Depressive symptoms

●      Fatigue

Take Charge of Your Well-Being

While a sink full of dishes or unfolded laundry may mean you’ve had a busy week, it could also be a sign there’s a deeper issue. Experts have found connections between mental health and organization.

However, feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression can be alleviated (both in the short and long term) by focusing on maintaining the space around you.