By Ally Montgomery

We are slowly approaching the two-year mark of how long this pandemic has lasted. Its effects

have been devastating on many, both mentally and physically. Being confined to a small space,

having limited contact with people, and reduced entertainment options, it's easy to lose

motivation to deal with your home organization. Also, it could lead to anxiety, emotional

rollercoasters, and stress. And we know that stress management is critical for successful

addiction recovery. So, it's helpful to know that the mental health benefits of an organized home

are multifold. And an individual recovering from an addiction disorder can and should take

advantage of them. 

This article will go over the most significant benefits of a tidy and well-organized home. The

idea is to help you remain on your journey to recovery and maintain sobriety even when going

gets rough. Many things can help, staying physically active, taking up a hobby, setting up a

routine. And although it may sound trivial, so can a clean living environment because a clean

home can be another tool in your arsenal against stress. 

Cleaning and organizing your home help you gain control

over your surroundings

The world we live in is full of stressors. If we consider the current situation, it is easy to feel you

have lost control over your life. Not only is there a constant threat to your health, but there is also

worry about your loved ones. Social distancing also took its toll. So, whenever there is

something to hold on to, something concrete you can have total control over, it can feel

empowering and uplifting. Keeping your home organized is one of these things, and you should

take advantage of it.

Merely being in a cluttered environment increases stress

levels

As we have had to spend more of our time at home, it is even more critical to try and keep it

neat. Especially knowing that there is a strong connection between clutter and stress or anxiety.

A pile of laundry waiting to be ironed is like a heavy load weighing on your head even if you

aren't looking at it. Your mind perceives tasks like this one and other clutter in your home as an

unfinished business, and it stresses over it, be it consciously or not.

Therefore, performing some of the everyday chores such as wiping down the surfaces in your

home, washing the dishes, cleaning the floors, even just making the bed can lead to a calmer

state of mind. In fact, there have been studies that proved that making your bed every morning

leads to a better night's sleep. And so does a tidy bedroom. That is because your mind

subconsciously worries about the mess waiting for it to be tended to. Thus, when everything is

neat and tidy, it can relax, and you can get a good night's sleep. And regular sleep cycles are also

highly beneficial for your mental health.

The process of organizing your home, even only eliminating the clutter, can be soothing and

liberating. 

Improved mood is one of the mental health benefits of an

organized home

Thanks to the intoxicating feeling of satisfaction as you put everything in order and the positivity

that gets flowing through your body due to the sense of being productive, your mood will

improve tremendously. There truly is a connection between our minds and our surroundings. As

you declutter your living space, you will declutter your mind as well. And you will get the

validation through the peace that will overwhelm you.

Once you have finished cleaning and organizing your living environment, you might get a

feeling like everything is fresh and new. And that brings a particular sense of excitement. Of

course, you can always move to a new home with a resolution to keep it organized. A new place,

a new life chapter. Although relocation while in recovery is not typically advisable, there are

instances when moving away from your old neighborhood is a wise decision. Sometimes, it is

necessary to remove yourself from a toxic and triggering environment. Other times, it is essential

to move closer to a solid support system. During such times, it is crucial to keep your stress

levels at bay and avoid relapses.

Relocating to a new home and any such significant change is an invitation for stress. However,

there are ways to handle it with ease, and the best one is to trust your move to experienced

professionals. Still, you must ensure that you hire a trustworthy moving company lest you invite

more stress in your life. So, prepare a list of questions and requirements for your movers, employ

the almighty Google, and start your search. Once you know you found reliable experts, you can

practically sit back and relax. Then, you can slowly begin to plan how you will organize your

new home and keep it that way.

Clutter can be distracting

One of the adverse effects of a cluttered home is the loss of productivity. Mess is overwhelming

and is, therefore, a huge distractor. Distractions can make you feel like you can't focus on

anything, and you will start feeling less productive and more stressed out. So, one of the

significant mental health benefits of an organized home is that it can considerably improve your

attention span and make you more focused.

An organized home can lead to an improved relationship

with your loved ones

Happy relationships with your loved ones are vital for your well-being and keeping you on the

right track toward recovery. A cluttered home can disrupt these relationships because it can lead

to conflicts and tension over unfinished chores. Moreover, the constant frustration over lost

items, difficulty locating important things, and general dissatisfaction with your surroundings are

undoubtedly detrimental.

Furthermore, if you live in a messy home, you may shy away from inviting people over. You

may feel ashamed due to your inability to keep your place organized and alienate yourself from

others. All of that leads to an emotional burden and stress that you want to avoid as you practice

sobriety and mindfulness. 

The bottom line

Seeing that there are many mental health benefits of an organized home and that it really requires

minimal effort to organize, declutter, and beautify your living space, it is well worth the shot.

Your home should be your sanctuary, a place where you feel safe, calm, and soothed.

By Ally Montgomery