It has long been said that ‘an unorganised house can lead to an unorganised mind’.
In an era when mental health is affecting our society on an unprecedented scale, is it time to rethink your living space and give you and your family a more relaxed, calm environment that you deserve?
Neuroscience research shows that our brains like order, and continual visual reminders of disorganisation put a drain on our cognitive capacity. The impact of this can be loss of concentration, stress, anxiety and even depression.
We all know that overloading our brains is not good for us as we can only process so much information at once. Raised levels of cortisol have been found in people who live with too much clutter, suppressing the natural fight or flight systems of the body and making them susceptible to illnesses.
Certainly in the last two decades, our consumerism has got the better of us all and we now own more possessions than we ever did. But living in a cluttered environment is becoming a challenge in itself.
The visual distraction of clutter puts extra strain on our brains and can reduce our working memory. Clutter certainly is distracting, especially for children who have developing attention spans.
By decluttering, you remove unnecessary items that may draw attention away from important tasks, such as homework or creative activities. This can improve the ability to work on the assignment at hand.
A clutter-free environment means living spaces are more organised and tidy, it becomes less overwhelming, allowing children to concentrate on activities and learning in more calm and relaxed surroundings. And it is thought that more free space means more room to engage in imaginative play and creative activities.
Research has shown that an organised space can inspire ‘new ideas’ and spark a child’s creativity, leading to a more enriched and productive playtime.
In all rooms in the house, removing unnecessary items and organising living areas, you can create a more serene and peaceful atmosphere which can help reduce stress levels and promote overall well-being.
A decluttered and tranquil bedroom can improve sleep patterns, ensuring we face our days refreshed and ready to go with more energy.
When everything has a designated place, it becomes easier for children to find what they need, reducing the time spent searching for items. This can lead to better time management skills as they learn to be more organised and efficient.
Involving children in the decluttering process can teach them valuable life skills and give them a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. They will learn the importance of keeping their space tidy and may be more motivated to maintain an organised environment. Decluttering doesn’t have to be done all at once. So why not start with some books?
Instead of piling your old books in boxes in the attic or in the garage, never to be read again, why not donate them? You can find out how to donate books on our website.
At books2all, we aim to reduce educational inequality through a modern, efficient app that matches book donors with local schools that need them most. Giving away books that have been read is a great way to level education for all children. By donating your children’s books to schools that need them means that you are feeding minds, driving personal growth and social change at the same time. Books also foster a calm and productive environment, so why not give your books a new home with a book donation?
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494416300159
Ferrari, J.R., Roster, C.A. Delaying Disposing: Examining the Relationship between Procrastination and Clutter across Generations. Curr Psychol 37, 426–431 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9679-4