Mess=Stress!

It’s getting colder out, we’re spending more time indoors, and maybe you’re noticing for the first time in a while that your home is filled with Too. Much. Stuff.  I don’t know about you, but (visual) clutter makes my mind feel cluttered. So...lately I’ve been walking around trying to get rid of or repurpose things around my apartment. Yet, I find that somehow even after I declutter, I find ways to clutter up again! I know this is very common and maybe it happens to you, too. But here’s why we all need to organize our living spaces: Our environment can either positively or negatively affect our health and happiness. Visual spaciousness creates mental spaciousness and gives you clarity and peace of mind. 
 
Clutter stress can affect you in other ways as well. According to a recent Cornell University study, stress triggered by clutter may also trigger unhealthy behaviors like eating junk food, oversleeping or binge-watching television.
 
Technique of the week: Start in a corner of one room and look at its contents item by item. Ask yourself, “Do I use it or love looking at it?” If so, leave it there. If not, get rid of it! As for piles of papers, books or magazines that you need to go through, schedule a day and time on your calendar that you’ll devote to organizing those piles. In the meantime, move it all to a closet or a drawer so you don’t have to look at it—clutter saps your energy!