• Avoid Problems with HVAC
• Improving Indoor Air Quality
• Decrease Your Energy Bill While Cooling Your Home
• Energy & Cost Efficient Changes to Your HVAC
• Purchasing An Energy Efficient HVAC System
• Air Conditioning – Definition and History
• How Air Conditioners Work
• HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and AC
• Alen Corporation - History and Products
• Air Fresheners Don't Freshen
• Make Your Home Safe with Better Ventilation
• FEMA Trailer Residents Fighting Mold
• Humid Areas at High Risk for Mold
• Relieve Stress By Removing Clutter
• Toxicity in Office Affects Indoor Air Quality
• Using Candles Safely
• Wet Weather Breeds Mold

Relieve Stress by Removing Clutter

Although it’s not as popular as losing weight, removing clutter is a resolution for individuals looking to relieve stress from their lives. Clutter, piles, and an overabundance of “stuff” can cause stress in many people and by purging unnecessary goods they can reduce the potential unhealthy side effects of chronic stress.

Individuals who already suffer from chronic diseases sometimes experience exacerbated symptoms as a result of long-term stress. By organizing the home and removing stress-inducing piles, individuals can reduce the amount of stress in their personal lives and actually begin building a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Removing unnecessary elements from your surrounding gives people a sense of control over their lives according to Monica Ricci, owner of Catalyst Organizing Solutions. Ricci says that people feel a general sense of freedom by removing clutter and can begin to take control of other areas of their lives.

In fact, organizing and removing clutter can be so life-changing that some people experience a sense of euphoria and well-being. These positive emotions have been proven in studies to contribute to a healthier physical being. Feeling better also helps encourage people to exercise more by freeing up energy and time.

Many people find themselves suffering from physical pain from increased stress. Neck, back, and shoulder pain are common problems associated with stressful lifestyles, but they are equally as common in people whose homes are messy and disorganized. Removing clutter can help relieve this kind of physical stress as well.

Cleaner homes also mean displaying pride in the home and homeowners are more likely to entertain or invite friends for dinner. Creating a more inviting social atmosphere is another result of organization and friends contribute to stress relief and relaxation.

Sentimentality and Catalogs

Parents love their children’s artwork but it can become part of the clutter problem. Although there is no reason to toss away precious drawings, Ricci suggests organizing artwork in small portfolios and hanging up only a select few pieces at a time.

Another suggestion is to create a system that limits the amount of stuff children collect. For example, Coleman Gfroerer, a mother of twins, determined that her house was too cluttered with toys and decided to remove one old toy for every new one acquired. She’s also learned to throw away catalogs because she can always find another and knows that more will always be delivered.

Reuse and Regift

There are individuals with chronic clutter problems that evolve into hoarding. This type of scenario requires psychotherapy and professional help. In these circumstances individuals, usually ones with some form of obsessive compulsive disorder, find value in what might otherwise be considered trash. They have great difficulty discarding items as a result.

Average individuals, however, still might associate value with items they may never use. This is usually the case when someone holds onto a gift out of guilt. These gifts and trinkets can become clutter after a while and cause more stress than anticipated. Although people may feel a tinge of guilt for ridding their home of these belongings, the stress relief is much more powerful than the benefit of retaining the objects.

If someone else can use it, great! Amie Ragan, a psychologist, recommends giving these items to people who can use them. Whether you donate these things to charity or regift them to someone who wants it, you’ve created a better world for yourself and a better life for someone else.

Allergy Relief and Better Health

Clutter collects dust that, in turn, collects dust mites that cause allergy symptoms in millions of individuals. Worn, old, or unused clothes are especially susceptible to harboring dust mites, but they can also live in the stacks and piles of clutter around the home.

Dr. Alpen Patel, an allergy specialist at Emory Crawford Long Hospital, suggests minimizing unnecessary decorations such as throw pillows, stuffed animals, and carpets. These types of soft fibers make ideal living conditions for dust mites whose feces triggers allergic reactions.

Removing clutter also tends to free up time and energy. By becoming more organized, people are more likely to exercise and become more active. Stress is often a trigger for overeating and stress-induced eating. Cleaner environments reduce stress which can help with diets as well.

Once a home is clean, there is less stuff to clean and organize. Cleaning, therefore, takes less time and people no longer need to dedicate large blocks of time to maintaining order.

Suggestions:

• Tackle one small area at a time
• Donate or sell unused and unwanted items
• Keep like items in one place for organization
• Keep in mind that organizing is more than just clean, it means healthy and a better quality of life.
• Remove and get rid of items that don’t add value to your life.

Resource article: http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/stories/2007/12/21/clutter_1226bh.html