by Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!
Most people think of clutter as a house problem, but it’s also a health problem. Simply, the more stuff you have, the harder it is to clean those shelves, books and electronics, under beds, behind furniture and, of course, knick knacks a.k.a. “dust collectors.”
This dust is made up of dirt, mold, human and pet dander and mites, affecting allergies, respiratory and immune system issues. Air conditioning and heating whip up the mess, as do dirty ceiling fans blowing above our bed 6-8 hours each night.
Reducing clutter makes it much easier to clean the nooks and crannies. Clutter also affects our exercise and eating habits. Psychological studies show that clutter makes us feel stressed, overwhelmed and more likely to say, “Forget it, I’ll just binge watch and eat ice cream.”
Stating the obvious, if your treadmill is covered with clothes and you can’t find your yoga mat, you aren’t going to use them. Clutter triggers our guilt/shame cycle and before we know it, we’re back on that couch.
Here’s the kicker – shedding clutter can help you shed pounds! Even I was surprised at the number of studies on the correlation between clutter and weight. There’s even a book called Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? Emotionally, we hang on to “stuff” in our home and on our bodies. The stress causes us to crave fat, carbs and sugar. So it makes sense that a fresh, clean kitchen encourages fresh, clean eating.
Visit JenniferPhelps.org for source links and more about how clearing clutter can help you be healthier from the inside out and outside in!
