A disorganized home can directly impact emotional well-being and contribute to symptoms of stress and anxiety. Environments with an excess of objects, clutter and lack of organization tend to generate a constant feeling of pending tasks, making relaxation and concentration difficult.

Research from the University of California, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, revealed that people who perceived their home as messy had higher levels of cortisol, known as the stress hormone.

According to psychologist Aline Portilho, coordinator of the Psychology course at Faculdade Anhanguera, the home environment tends to directly reflect on the way people feel emotionally. “Home is generally associated with comfort, rest and security. When the environment is excessively disorganized, the brain You can interpret that as another source of worry and mental exhaustion”, he explains.

She highlights that visual clutter causes the brain to remain in a constant state of alert, making it difficult to relax and even concentrate on simple everyday tasks.

Clutter can increase negative feelings

In addition to visual discomfort, poor organization can generate feelings of guilt, procrastination and difficulty in productivity. This happens because disorganized environments act as permanent reminders of pending tasks. “Clutter creates stimulus overload. The brain receives too much information at the same time and this can increase the anxietyirritation and even mental fatigue”, he states.

Another point observed in studies is the relationship between chaotic environments and less healthy habits. Research from the University of New South Wales, Australia, called “Clutter, Chaos, and Overconsumption:The Role of Mind-Set in Stressful and Chaotic Food Environments“, pointed out that disorganized kitchens can encourage episodes of binge eating and impulsive eating.

Organization does not have to be synonymous with perfection

Despite the relationship between the environment and mental health, Aline Portilho warns that keeping your home organized does not mean striving for perfection all the time. Small changes to your routine can bring a feeling of well-being and greater emotional control. Creating simple habits, such as organizing one room at a time, letting go of unused objects and establishing small household routines, can help reduce feelings of overload.

Seeking help is also important

In some cases, the difficulty in maintaining organization may be related to the person’s own emotional state, especially in situations of anxiety, depression or mental exhaustion. “When disorganization is accompanied by constant sadness, lack of energy and difficulty carrying out everyday tasks, it is important to seek psychological support to understand what is happening”, concludes Aline Portilho.

By Priscila Dezidério