A TIDY HOME = a healthy mind

Declutter the space around you and give your mood – and life – an instant lift

Ever feel like you’re drowning in stuff? do you have teetering piles of books, mountains of clothes, appliances you’ve never used and random items that don’t seem to have a home? Many of us struggle to deal with our clutter because actually finding the time to decide what to do with it can feel overwhelming.

But it pays to get better at this because living and working in cluttered surroundings can have a detrimental effect on our emotional wellbeing. Psychological research has proved that clutter affects our brain’s ability to concentrate and process information, and has a powerful effect on both our mood and self-esteem.

“clutter impacts on our energy levels, stealing our focus,” says cory cook, an organising and time management expert (corycook.com). “too much clutter and we feel overwhelmed, anxious and distracted.” remind yourself that you hold power over your possessions – not the other way around!

read on to discover six ways a thorough tidy-up can instantly boost your mood…

1 limit the load

if your loft is full of mementoes, stop and think how many of them really are special to you. you may think you remember every painting from your son’s school years, but your brain only stores the important details. so mirror your memory, saving one or two items – maybe frame and display them – and bin the rest. Culling ancient “treasures” will make you feel lighter and more positive. as Cory says, “the importance should be placed on the person, not the item.”

2 Improve sleep

a bedroom strewn with the detritus of life will not make for a restful night. “if the clutter’s reminding you that you’ve got jobs to do then it’s the equivalent of having electronic devices in your bedroom pinging away, demanding your attention,” believes clinical psychologist linda Blair (lindablair.co.uk). Cory Cook agrees: to lower stress levels you should clear everything off the floor and minimise what you keep on your bedside table. also, remove anything work-related or that has zero purpose in your bedroom. think about how you want your bedroom to feel – and take daily action to maintain your sanctuary.

3 do good

still hanging on to that sewing machine/fancy juicer/acoustic guitar that you’ve never actually used? tell yourself “i’m not using this right now” and give it to someone who might appreciate it. “one of the joyful things about decluttering is that you get oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, from giving your stuff to those who really need it,” says linda. so give that juicer or guitar to a relative or neighbour. “you’re then putting that item to good use and getting a feel-good boost into the bargain,” says linda.

4 Love cooking again

A thorough decluttering transforms cooking from a chore to a pleasure. if your kitchen is overrun with too much stuff, you can easily feel stifled. “this may ultimately deter you from cooking altogether, leading you to opt instead for quick, unhealthy options,” believes cory. “Once you get rid of the ‘just in case’ equipment and only have a spoon you always use when you cook, you’ll work so much more efficiently,” says Linda Blair. Lower the visual noise by clearing everything that doesn’t warrant a place. decide that kitchen counters and islands are no longer a dumping ground, putting stuff away immediately. “this will soon have a positive effect on your mood – as well as your inclination to cook,” says cory.

5 Get energised

do your spirits sink as you walk in the front door? According to feng shui, the condition of the space that greets you when you first enter your home has an immediate effect on your energy. create an entrance that allows you to come and go with minimal obstruction and it will give your life a lift. coats, shoes, hats and gloves need to be organised in a streamlined way (hooks, shoe rack, baskets). Pare them down to only essential, regularly used items. if you have a console table, clear away anything that shouldn’t be there, and put important letters in a folder in your home office. remember that a tidy home makes us feel content – and safe in the knowledge that we’re always prepared for an unscheduled visit!

6 Feel more Focused

when it comes to clutter, paperwork can be particularly problematic.

“you may be reluctant to let go of documents you once needed for work, yet their very presence may chip away at you, hampering your concentration and making you feel anxious, backlogged and behind,” says Cory. Be realistic – decide what you need to support where you are today and where you’re heading, and if it’s supporting a previous life, bin it. “Getting rid of fusty old information that doesn’t serve you now will give you an instant lift,” says

Cory. “you’ll feel more current and clear.”