Let’s face it: tidying up your home is difficult. It’s not just about the time it takes but also mustering up the motivation to get started. However, a messy home can have negative effects on our health. Here are five harmful effects of living in a cluttered space.
1. Stress Overload
A cluttered space inherently causes stress. According to a study by the University of Sydney in Australia, disorganized surroundings reduce attention span and increase mental stress the brain perceives.
Women who perceived their homes as untidy had higher cortisol levels, the stress hormone, than those who considered their homes tidy.
2. Impaired Decision-Making
Cluttered environments may impair decision-making abilities. Research by Dr. Jabin Becham from Deccan University’s Medical School in Indonesia found that adults over 50 who lived in messy spaces tended to postpone making important decisions.
Conversely, people in tidy spaces did not exhibit this tendency.
3. Reduced Focus and Memory
A messy environment negatively impacts life satisfaction by making it harder to concentrate on important tasks. This is incredibly challenging for individuals with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Additionally, cluttered spaces impair memory. The brain can only process a limited amount of information at once, and excess clutter overloads it, leading to memory deterioration.
4. Allergy Alert
Messy rooms create an ideal environment for allergens to thrive. Dust, pet dander, and who knows what else can trigger sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and coughing spells.
According to Indiana University, people who keep their homes spick and span report better overall health than their messier counterparts.
5. Increased Risk of Overeating and Obesity
A cluttered room full of items can heighten the risk of overeating and obesity. According to a study published in the Journal of Behavior and Environment, individuals in disorganized spaces are twice as likely to consume sugary snacks, such as cookies, to cope with stress.
This tendency is particularly pronounced among individuals with hoarding disorder. Research from Florida State University analyzed 27,745 adults with hoarding disorder, finding that they gained an average of 7 kilograms and were twice as likely to become obese.
These individuals were also at higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
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