The home is more than a place where we live and breathe, but a manifestation of our inner self. But just as our home can serve as an outward expression of our psychology, the habits by which we interact with our home create a mutually-reinforcing relationship, which can either optimize or erode our psychological well-being. Here are some indicators that your space is not supporting your mental health:

Your mind feels cluttered…

Cluttered home, cluttered mind. There are a variety of reasons we have clutter: the anticipation of future needs, sentimentality, unfinished projects, and consumer impulses, to name a few. While we tend to cling to clutter, we are unintentionally doing our mental health an injustice.

Researchers at UCLA found that procrastination is tied closely to clutter, as a home filled with a constant to-do list creates a feeling of constant distraction and overwhelm. A chaotic home can also spike cortisol levels, increasing stress and shifting your brain into multi-tasking mode. It’s no wonder a disorderly space is linked to depression and distraction and can prevent us from tuning in to our higher self.

Clearing the clutter doesn’t necessarily mean ridding oneself of everything. Rather, it’s a matter of determining what you have, why you have it, and how it will serve you in the future. Blogs such as Apartment Therapy and Unclutterer appeal to our inner neat-freak, since paint a picture of this very balance that can be achieved through a clutter-free, yet well-curated space.

…Yet you’re afraid to accumulate

Just as a cluttered space may not be conducive to your mental health, a space sparing in material comforts can create an environment of sterility that defies the very warmth and expressiveness of a home itself. Minimalism preaches the value of parting with material possessions that don’t add value to your life. As human beings, we tend to have trouble drawing the distinction between when something is a “must have” or simply “nice to have.”

A purge of material possessions can easily spiral into a full-blown decluttering addiction. While Minimalism is intended to bring you closer to what makes you happy, in the quest for self-righteous scarcity, you may part with items that have deep experiential, monetary, or sentimental value. The key is to strike a balance of conscientious decluttering.

Your to-do list is ever-growing

It’s no secret that homes are a lot to maintain, but the more proactive of a housekeeper you are, the more you can take pride in your space. Unkempt homes often become a source of shame, and the same neglect you show your home can easily translate into neglect towards other areas of life. Similarly to how a cluttered home can cause anxiety, a dysfunctional home with leaky faucets, cracked windows, and long-overdue home repairs can cause extreme overwhelm.

The more manageable these tasks seem, the more empowered you’ll feel to maintain a space you’re proud of. Start small with the routine tasks: make the bed every morning, wash dishes after every use. Your proactivity will be energizing, and the relief you get from accomplishing those smaller tasks will drive you to address those larger ones.

You feel overwhelming negative energy at home

When your mind, body, and soul are at an imbalance, it disrupts your Chi, a Chinese force known to produce a positive life. There are many ways to spruce up your home that can restore alignment between body, mind, and soul, and ultimately create the nurturing environment home is meant to be.

Houseplants are an affordable way to add liveliness to your home and health. Research from NASA revealed houseplants remove 87% of air toxins within 24 hours, and have been shown to reduce stress and boost your mood. Another way to nurture the body-mind-soul connection is to stimulate the senses. Without scents or sounds, for example, a home is just a sterile blank canvas. Lighting a candle for some aromatherapy, and turning on some music, engage sensory response and promote holistic well-being.

Amanda Turner
Guest Blogger
Dragon Intuitive
~science,mysticism,spirituality~