Netflix’s hit series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” has its audience hooked on the KonMari method of organizing household items and purging the clutter. While getting rid of unnecessary things in your home allows you to reclaim some much-needed space, decluttering can also provide you many mental and physical benefits. Here are some reasons why Marie Kondo’s tidying up method is good for your health.

Better Physical Health

A study conducted at Indiana University found that people who kept clean houses are physically healthier and more active than their not-as-organized counterparts. Those with clean houses spend more of their day doing laundry, dusting, and cleaning up which keeps them more physically fit than those who don’t typically spend much time tidying. More activity leads to a lower risk of heart disease and a host of other health problems.

Lower Stress Levels

When your home is disorganized, it can lead to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol according to a study conducted by the University of California in Los Angeles. People who feel in control of their clutter and view their home as a restorative space experience lower cortisol levels. These lower stress levels lead to a greater sense of well-being and overall satisfaction. Those who can’t keep up with the clutter in their homes experience more chronic stress which can result in adverse health problems and a greater risk of depression.

Better Mental Health

A Princeton University study demonstrated that a cluttered environment can make it more difficult to concentrate on finishing a task. A person’s visual cortex can be easily overwhelmed by irrelevant distractions which make it harder to focus and complete the job efficiently. Having less clutter in your environment helps you focus on your work and get more accomplished.

A tidy home can help you think more clearly, let go of tension, and experience less overall stress. While the process of decluttering your home might seem daunting at first, the physical and mental health benefits you may experience from a clean space are well worth the extra work.

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