10 harmful health effects of living in a cluttered environment

Do you live in a space that is filled with too much stuff and clutter? Most of us see clutter as just an aesthetic issue or a minor inconvenience.

However, scientific research in this field has shown a worrying trend: household clutter can have more profound and multifaceted negative impacts on our physical health, mental health and happiness than we realize.

1. Increased stress levels

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, USA) discovered a clear link between the density of furniture in the home and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

According to Psychology Today, clutter overloads the brain with too much stimulation, creates a feeling of unfinished work, and causes anxiety and frustration when you can’t find the necessary items. All of these factors increase stress, making the body tired right from the start of the day.

2. Triggers stress-related physical symptoms

The stress caused by clutter is not just in the mind, but also has a direct impact on the body. From rapid breathing, increased blood pressure, worsening of asthma and emphysema, to heartburn, acid reflux, muscle aches and headaches… all can be caused by a cluttered living environment.

With the average American home now containing up to 300,000 items, it's no wonder the New York Times called modern Americans the most stressed generation of all time.

3. Reduced ability to concentrate

Research at Princeton shows that a visually cluttered environment has the same neurological effects as being overwhelmed by noise. This reduces your ability to concentrate, making it harder to get work done effectively.

4. Uncontrolled eating

A messy kitchen can lead to overeating. A 2016 study by Brian Wansink at Cornell University found that women living in messy kitchens consumed twice as many calories from cookies as those living in neat kitchens. Our environment has a powerful influence on our daily eating behavior that we often don’t notice.

5. Forming unhealthy habits

Research published in the Journal of Psychological Science at the University of Minnesota confirmed that an organized environment leads to more desirable and positive behaviors, such as generosity. Conversely, when our physical surroundings are cluttered, it negatively affects our habits and behaviors.

Clutter can make us procrastinate on exercise, eat less healthily, and make it difficult to maintain other positive habits.

6. Reduced air quality

Clutter makes it harder to clean your home, creating a breeding ground for dust, mold, and other allergens. WebMD warns that this increases the risk of asthma and allergies, especially in young children and people with a history of respiratory problems.

7. Decreased learning and productivity

Research from Carnegie Mellon University found that children in orderly classrooms scored 13% higher on tests than children in messy classrooms. A tidy environment helps both children and adults at home concentrate and learn more effectively.

8. Poor quality sleep

A messy bedroom can cause difficulty falling asleep, disrupted sleep, and a decrease in overall sleep quality. When the bedroom is a messy space, the brain tends to activate a state of alertness, making it harder to fall asleep and more likely to have sleep disturbances at night. Poor sleep can lead to a host of other health problems during the day.

9. Low self-esteem

Clutter often triggers negative thoughts, feelings of depression, and self-criticism. Research from the University of New Mexico has shown that this has a negative impact on mental health and subjective feelings about oneself.

Feeling powerless to control one's environment can lead to lower self-esteem and feelings of failure.

10. Comprehensive impact on health and happiness

Clutter is more than just a temporary nuisance. It creates a negative cycle: clutter leads to stress, which leads to unhealthy habits (overeating, poor sleep) that lead to poor physical health. Keeping your home neat and tidy isn’t just about impressing, it’s about creating an environment where everyone in the family has the best chance to succeed and be healthy./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/10-tac-dong-gay-hai-suc-khoe-khi-song-trong-moi-truong-bua-bon-post1080604.vnp