[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/clutter-and-stress\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/clutter-and-stress\/","headline":"What’s the Connection Between Clutter and Stress?","name":"What’s the Connection Between Clutter and Stress?","description":"Messiness in our physical space impacts how we think and feel. Learn more about the link between clutter and stress, anxiety, and depression.","datePublished":"2021-02-18","dateModified":"2022-04-26","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","name":"UPMC Western Behavioral Health","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/behavioral-health\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iStock-1214479358-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iStock-1214479358-1.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/clutter-and-stress\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Mental Health"],"wordCount":601,"articleBody":"Messiness in our physical space, and how it impacts the way we think and feel, is getting quite a bit of attention.If you’ve ever looked around your cluttered home \u2014 or your messy desk \u2014 and felt anxious, you’re not alone. Science supports a link between feeling overwhelmed and having an overwhelming number of things in your environment.Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that clutter has a negative impact on overall well-being. It also increases stress, decreases productivity, and leads to unhealthy habits.But science doesn’t tell us which came first \u2014 the clutter or the stress. Read on to learn more about clutter’s impact and what you can do about it.When Clutter Causes StressA cluttered environment can influence decisions you make about your health, including saying “no” to unhealthy foods. A disorganized kitchen might not inspire healthy meals. And, if your stationary bike serves as a clothes rack or you can’t find your sneakers, you’re less likely to exercise.If mess is causing you stress, it’s time to take action. Look critically at your environment and take inventory. Consider the things you can control, such as:Having too much stuff. A few hours, a trash bag, and a box for donations can help get your surroundings under control and clear your mind.Lacking a place for things. Simple changes, like adding shelves or cleaning out an overflowing closet, can make it easier to put things away and keep your space neat. It can make a big difference in managing clutter.When Stress Causes ClutterSometimes, living with anxiety, depression, or stress brings on clutter. If you’re overwhelmed by sadness or other negative emotions, you might not have the energy to clean and organize. Or, you might use shopping or accumulating things to manage your feelings.If the way you feel makes it challenging to keep your environment clean, you should:Talk to your doctor. Have an evaluation for depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Treatment, whether therapy alone or combined with medicine, can improve how you feel and function.Enlist help. Age-related and mobility issues can make cleaning up a challenge. Hire help or ask a friend or family member to assist with getting clutter under control.When Clutter Goes Too FarFor some people, clutter goes far beyond a messy or crowded space. People with hoarding disorder obsessively save things. They can’t throw anything away, even as their space grows more cluttered. They tend to accumulate items regardless of perceived value. Normal living spaces \u2014 tables and furniture like beds and couches \u2014 become unusable because of the accumulating clutter. This can lead to a dangerous physical environment and cause problems in relationships and daily functioning.If you suspect that your own clutter, or a loved one’s, might be a sign of hoarding, help is available.For more information, call UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital at 1-877-624-4100 or 412-624-1000.SourcesDr. Joseph Ferrari, Delaying Disposing: Examining the Relationship between Procrastination and Clutter across Generations, Current Psychology, June 2018. LinkABC News, How Clutter Affects Your Health, 2019 LinkMarie Kondo. The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up. LinkGretchen Rubin. Outer Order, Inner Calm. LinkDr. Catherine Roster, The Dark Side of Home: Assessing Possession 'Clutter' on Subjective Well-being, Journal of Environmental Psychology, June 2016. LinkDr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, 5 Reasons to Clear the Clutter Out of Your Life, Psychology Today blog. LinkInstitute for Challenging Disorganization, Fact Sheet: Factors Associated With Disorganization. LinkNIH News in Health, The Problem That Piles Up: When Hoarding Is a Disorder. LinkAmerican Psychiatric Association, What Is Hoarding Disorder? 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