Decluttering For A Healthy Mind
Decluttering For A Healthy Mind ::: https://urlin.us/2tqxVK
What you can do: Box up extra items and put them out of sight, out of mind. Ready for a change Swap boxes for a fresh mix of toys. Don't miss them Sell or donate the extras. (No kids Try the same technique with your clothes.)
If you're looking for an easy way to reduce stress, decluttering your environment may be a good place to start. Getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer, happier, and more in control. A tidier space can make for a more relaxed mind.
Still, the case for decluttering isn't clear-cut. Another study found that, while orderly environments are more linked to healthy choices, disorderly environments promote creativity and fresh ideas. If you value creativity, you may want to allow yourself to be a little messy in certain areas of your life.
While hoarding things can provide you with a strange sense of satisfaction, it creates clutter in your home and as an extension, in your mind. Anyone who hoards also experiences the frustration caused by overflowing cupboards and shelves. Clearly, hoarding can affect your mood.
But, although the initial enthusiasm was there, Debora highlights that it is quite normal to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of decluttering. Fortunately, she has figured out some nifty ways around this.
If you are unsure whether or not your cleaning habits are constructive or bordering on a compulsion, you may want to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional for advice. A therapist can help you determine which behaviors are healthy and which might need to be altered. They can also provide other coping mechanisms for depression, anxiety, or stress.
Hanley AW, Warner AR, Dehili VM, Canto AI, Garland EL. Washing dishes to wash the dishes: brief instruction in an informal mindfulness practice. Mindfulness. 2015;6(5):1095-1103. doi:10.1007/s12671-014-0360-9
Do you feel like your brain is in serious overdrive A stream of clutter slowly turning your mental space into a chaotic mess If the answer is yes, it means that your mind is frantically waving a red flag, begging you to free up some headspace.
5. Breathe: Take a deep breath. Pause. Exhale slowly. Repeat. How does it feel Great, right Deep breathing is a simple yet effective technique to clear your mind, induce tranquility and elevate your mood instantly. It lowers the heart rate and blood pressure and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which helps your body relax. Other than being a stress-reliever, breathing exercises also promote concentration and strengthen your immunity system.
9. Limit The Amount Of Media Intake: The media you consume has a huge impact on your mental health. We spend hours online: reading blogs, managing Pinterest boards, watching viral videos on YouTube, etc. This abundance of information can clog your brain, causing stress and anxiety. Limiting the amount of information you consume is necessary to get rid of all that media-related clutter from your mind. You can start by setting a limit on the amount of time you spend on social media. Also, be selective about your media consumption (avoid negative content, follow only reliable media outlets for news updates, etc.) and organize your email regularly.
I've been a lifestyle journalist for over half a decade, primarily covering all things food, culture, and wellness. Besides Forbes, my work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, MSN, NewsBreak, The News Hub, and more. You can also find me delivering bite-sized, evidence-backed tips on all things wellness and healthy living on my newly-minted podcast 5 Minutes to Wellness:
For many of us, decluttering serves as a sort of mental palette cleanser. Stressed out Tidy your apartment. Unfocused and frazzled Clear the mess on your desk. Down in the dumps Reorganize your closet for a sense of accomplishment.
When the spaces we spend our time in are messy, we are likely to experience an ongoing sense of sensory overload. A cluttered visual field filled with untidy pil