Decluttering Your Space and Mind

How Being Organized Can Improve Mental Health

By Gabi Drobot, Staff Writer

When discussing mental health, individuals tend to forget about the physical aspects that can improve one’s mental health as well, such as exercise, journaling and even organizing. 

As college students, it is very easy for one’s space to become cluttered quickly. Living in a cluttered space can exacerbate feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. Although individuals cannot control external circumstances in daily life, focusing on internal circumstances, such as a clean-living space, can significantly improve mental health. 

“I make it a point to make my bed every day,” said Madeline Bryant, a junior. “This makes my room instantly cleaner and motivates me to keep my space clean. When it becomes cluttered, I notice I feel completely out of whack and out of control.”

For some students, this is their first time in control of the cleanliness of their personal space, and it may seem challenging to keep everything intact all the time. Messes happen, but the action of organizing itself also has proven mental health benefits. 

“I can’t sleep in a messy room,” said Maeve Baard, a junior. “I think because my parents always made sure my room was clean, now when it gets messy it affects how I sleep at night.”

According to a scientific study by Workplace Options, individuals with messier homes have higher cortisol levels. Cortisol is an individual’s stress hormone, and the levels tend to increase when stress is not regulated. The study found that organized spaces increase concentration and sleep quality. Also, for those living with other individuals, having a clean and organized space can improve relationships, as clutter can create tension and conflict. 

“I think when the common areas of my apartment get messy, everyone in the apartment seems a little on edge,” said Melanie Watts, a senior. “I don’t think it’s intentional, but the space being messy makes all of us feel like our lives are messy.”

Sometimes, organizing can seem daunting, especially if it has been a long time since the space has received a deep clean. Still, little organizational improvements can significantly impact one’s daily mental health. 

Spending even thirty minutes a day dedicated to organizing one section of one’s space will continue to show that a decluttered space leads to a decluttered mind!