5 Creative Organizing Tips to Help You Destress and Declutter

While disorganized and cluttered homes can certainly be an annoyance, science has proven that clutter can also play a major role in stress levels and anxiety.

How Clutter Negatively Impacts Your Mood

Stress can affect both men and women on many levels, however, women tend to feel a higher level of stress from clutter and unorganized spaces.  In a study conducted at UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families, women who live in cluttered homes have higher levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone.”  Because clutter bombards our minds with more visual, tactile and ocular stimuli, senses have to work on overdrive, which can leave you feeling anxious, helpless and overwhelmed.

So, what can you do to reduce clutter in your home?

Consider these five organizing tips to declutter your home and reduce stress:

Give yourself 5 minutes

Better yet, have the entire family chip in for 5 minutes. Pick one area to focus on, and have everyone chip in to tidy up for just five minutes.  You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in such a short amount of time.

Designate a spot for incoming papers

Most families find that mail and paperwork account for a lot of the clutter found in the home. This is because there are simply too many places we set things down — on the counter, on the table, on a desk, in a drawer, in the car, shoved into a purse… the list goes on. Designate a spot in your home and put ALL paperwork there – Mail, receipts, warranties, bills, notices, flyers… all in one spot.  This one little change can not only keep your space tidy but will also keep you organized.

Clear off a counter

Clear off everything possible, except the essentials that are used daily. This gives your whole home a fresh perspective in just a few minutes and can make you feel much less stressed.

Fill two trash bags

Take two trash bags and walk around your home, filling one with garbage and one with items to donate. This is particularly effective for kids and teenager’s rooms!

Try Oprah’s Closet Hanger Method. 

Hang all your clothes with the hangers in the reverse direction. After you wear an item, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct direction. After six months, you’ll have a clear picture of which clothes you can donate or discard.

Let McCabinet Keep You Organized

Looking for more decluttering options? Meet with a designer at McCabinet for storage solutions that will keep you feeling organized, no matter what life throws at you!  From kitchen storage to built-ins to fully customized closets, McCabinet has every trick to help you stay neat and tidy!  Come and see us today to see what we can do for you!