Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect time to consider how an organised home can support your wellbeing
You might not realise it, but the piles of paper, overflowing wardrobes and cluttered surfaces don’t just frustrate you and waste your time —they can affect your mental health. Research shows that our physical environment can have a direct impact on our emotional wellbeing.
But the good news is; creating a more organised home doesn’t have to be overwhelming—and the benefits are worth it.
The Science Behind Clutter and Stress
Clutter doesn’t just make it harder to find things – it changes how we feel. Studies show that a cluttered environment can lead to increased levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress.
Researchers at UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that women who described their homes as “cluttered” experienced elevated cortisol levels. Interestingly, men in the same study made no mention of and were not affected by the state of the spaces.
A Princeton University study discovered that physical clutter competes for our attention, reducing performance and increasing stress. In essence, our brain is not good at blocking out clutter as objects compete for our attention. The mess around us makes it harder for our brains to filter out the distractions, causes fatigue over time and makes it difficult to function effectively.
So when we create order in our environment, our brain no longer needs to work overtime just to function. Less clutter means greater calm, clarity, and mental energy.
Why Decluttering Feels Emotionally Lighter
Many of my clients tell me that they feel a sense of emotional release after decluttering – ‘like a weight has been lifted’. That’s because our belongings often carry emotional weight. They may remind us of unfinished tasks, unresolved decisions, or even personal loss.
Decluttering is more than just throwing things away—it’s about making peace with what we no longer serves us and giving ourselves permission to let go. That emotional shift creates real relief.
The physical act of organising and making decisions about what to keep often sparks a sense of accomplishment. these actions help build build confidence and lift your mood. Clearing space in your home clears space in your mind too.
“Laura helped me to think straight as we tackled my kitchen together. Her clear mind stopped me getting caught up in the indecisions about what to do with the dreaded ‘stuff’.” — Harriet Hanmer
The Power of Organising and Creating Order
Decluttering is just the beginning. Once you clear the excess, home organising brings lasting results by creating systems that make it easier to find, use, and put away your belongings.
When you assign a home for every item and develop clear routines, you reduce daily decision fatigue. Fewer choices mean less visual clutter and less mental effort, freeing up brainpower for more important things.
An organised home promotes calm. You stop wasting energy looking for things or battling chaos. Instead, your environment supports you. It helps your day flow more smoothly and brings a sense of structure and stability.
Organising gives you back control. It reduces stress, sharpens your focus, and fosters a calmer, more positive mindset. That’s why it’s such a powerful support for your mental wellbeing.
The Benefits of Home Organising:
- Efficiency – you can find what you need when you need it
- Save time – you don’t have to waste time looking for things or moving things out of the way to get things done. You also have less stuff to tidy up, clean, maintain…
- Save money – no need to buy duplicates of the things you can’t find!
- Reduce decision fatigue as you don’t have to make as many decisions
- Reduce stress and guilt caused by your stuff
- Improved focus – you have less visual distraction and less unfinished business
- Calmer, positive environment – has a positive effect on your mood and mindset
- More confidence – in your ability to cope with your priorities
A Calmer Home for a Calmer Mind
Home organising isn’t just about having a tidy house—it’s a form of self-care that can have a significant impact on your mental health. When you clear clutter and set up systems to make life easier, you create a space that helps you feel calmer, more in control, and supported by your surroundings. When your home works for you, your mind can rest.
If you’re looking to take the next step, here are some other blog posts you might enjoy:
- Quick Declutter Tasks to Improve Your Wellbeing
- Can Decluttering be Good for Your Mental Health?
- Tasks to Help you Feel More Organised
Each one offers practical tips and gentle encouragement to help you move forward—at your own pace.
Are You Ready to Feel Calmer at Home?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your space or unsure where to start, I’d love to help. Whether you’re tackling a single room or your whole home, we can work together to create order and calm that lasts.
Book your free Enquiry Call today and take the first step toward a more peaceful home and mind.
