Guest Post: 7 Reasons Organizing Your Home Reduces Stress and Increases Relaxation

This month JAM Organizing presents another informative article from a guest blogger. Enjoy!

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​Your home is your sanctuary. If the idea of decluttering seems like the most daunting task in the world, rest assured it will actually make you feel better in the long run. Here are seven reasons why organizing your home reduces stress and increases relaxation, getting you ever closer to that sanctuary you want and deserve.

1. Boosts Your Productivity

​We all have that space in our home that becomes the “catch-all” for miscellaneous items. It may be an office space, spare room, or a corner of your apartment where you toss everything from mail to your purse to shopping bags at the end of a long day. Soon enough, this area is piled high with a mountain of stuff - you never thought this possible. Tackling this may seem stressful, but trying to work in this environment is killing your productivity. Your mess becomes a constant reminder of all the cleaning and organizing you still need to do, causing you to procrastinate completing the important stuff on your to-do list. Invest in organizational pieces like shelves, storage bins, mail sorters, or whatever fits best in your space. Then commit to using them! Once you take the first step to a cleaner home, the motivation to keep it clean and organized will only increase - along with your productivity.

2. Improve Your Relationships

​We’ve all been there with a significant other or roommate – there’s a pile of dirty dishes in the sink that haven’t been washed in days. Or one of you is stuck cleaning the bathroom every time. Tensions rise and arguments erupt, and your home doesn’t get any cleaner. All the time spent fighting or searching for that missing item could have been spent bonding with your partner. A clutter-free home raises mood and lowers anxieties, making the relationship happier. Someone who feels their home is mess is less likely to invite people over, creating an emotional boundary as well as physical. Help yourself stick to a cleaning schedule by creating a standing social date on your calendar - hosted in your house of course! This could be a weekly movie night with friends, weekend breakfast with family, or anything you like to do at home to ensure your space stays neat.

3. Help You Sleep Better

​If you’re leaping over piles of unfolded laundry, take-out boxes, duffle bags, and other clutter to reach your bed, the chances of you getting a good night's sleep are slim-to-none. (OK, this may seem a bit dramatic, but we’re not judging you if this sounds like your bedroom!) This is very common. Going to bed with your surroundings astray sends big red flags to your brain, reminding you of all of the things you didn't finish or still need to do. A brain that can't shut off has a difficult time relaxing and falling asleep. Start by tidying up excess stuff in your bedroom. It can be helpful to play calming music or white noise and use essential oils like lavender to tell your brain and body it’s bedtime. Turn off all screens, and create the cozy and tranquil space you need.

4. Save You Money

​An organized space saves you money, time, and sanity. To this end, it's important to create a special space for all of your belongings. Each room should have its own dedicated system so you can find what you need when you need it. This is especially true in the kitchen. The more often you put the same items in the same place, the less you'll buy things you already own but can't find! Also, have a designated space for bills and important mail. Misplacing important documents may result in late fees and and unwanted stress. 

5. Creates a Positive Environment

​As we've learned from organization Queen Marie Kondo, your stuff can “spark joy.” There's an emotional connection. Scan your living space, and see if there are items that go unused. Chances are, those useless things are creating guilt or even annoyance because of the valuable space they take up. Take a cue from Kondo and hold every item in your home, asking yourself what feelings it evokes. If you don’t feel a positive emotional spark, donate, recycle, or throw it away. This will help eliminate excess clutter and create a home that makes you feel proud. If it's too difficult to take care of all of your unwanted items, a decluttering service will do all the heavy lifting, sorting, and hauling for you, and they may make it easier to say goodbye!

6. Help You Live Healthier

​Organizing your home does great things for your body and health. If your home is in order, you’re more likely to be thoughtful about what you eat and drink. Staying healthy requires the same skills as keeping a home clean: forethought, organization, and preparation. Studies show an orderly environment prompts healthier choices. Create a space in your kitchen for reusable storage bowls so you can store healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. You’ll be more likely to cook and use your kitchen if it’s neat and clean, eating healthier food instead of just grabbing what’s convenient. Stress takes a toll on your mental health. An organized home means less stress, which will carry over into many facets of your life. 

7. Motivate You to Work Out

​Once you’ve cleared out items you don’t need from your home and rearranged what you do want, need, and love, you'll definitely have more space. The options for this extra space are endless! Perhaps you have the space (and more time!) to roll out your yoga mat at the beginning of the day. Or maybe you can finally fit that treadmill you’ve been dreaming about. And hey, who doesn’t just love turning up their favorite music and dancing around the house? These are all great ways to stay active and motivate yourself to work out, plus keep your space clean. Feeling less disheveled can also increase your motivation to take a walk in a nearby park or attend a fitness class at a local gym. 

Knowing the impacts that organization has on your life is a first step on a long journey. It's not an easy process, especially on your own. If you get stuck or just want a hand, professional organizers can make the journey a more positive experience. And sometimes even fun!

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Thanks again to Haley Kieser of ​1-800-GOT-JUNK? for this month's post!

Happy Organizing!

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