In this snippet from a feature on decluttering in the January|February issue of Irish Country Magazine, chartered psychologist Dr Alexis Carey shares the mental benefits of tackling clutter.
With the arrival of spring just around the corner, many of us are turning to our spaces and seeking out ways to make them less cluttered and more controlled.
However, finding the motivation to take the steps to make that happen is often half the battle. In the January|February issue of Irish Country Magazine, Deputy Editor Niamh Devereux compiled a feature breaking down the different personality types behind clutter, whether you’re the procrastinator or the collector, and tailored tips from Irish business A Sorted Affair for managing each one.
Chatting with Dr Alexis Carey on the topic, she shared the mental benefits of tackling clutter, If you’re looking for motivation to start your deep clean, take these into account.
Improved mood and life satisfaction
People report feeling lighter, calmer and more positive after reducing clutter.
Reduced stress, including physiological stress markers
One experimental study even showed that creating a chaotic home environment can increase stress responses (such as cortisol levels), suggesting clutter may contribute to chronic stress if left unchecked.
Better concentration and cognitive ease
Clutter increases visual and mental ‘noise’, making it harder to focus and complete tasks. Studies show that reducing clutter can lower cognitive load and improve the ability to concentrate, especially for people who already find visual complexity distracting.
Behavioral activation and confidence
Structured decluttering programmed improve mood partly because they help people build momentum: small, manageable tasks create a sense of mastery, motivation and control. It’s not just the tidy drawer; it’s the sense of agency that comes with it.
You can read the full feature in the current issue of Irish Country Magazine on shelves now.
