Do Some Decluttering to Clear Your Space and Your Brain
Do you have more possessions than storage space? Is your basement or attic filled with items you haven’t used in years or even decades? Do you feel stressed or anxious when you think about getting rid of belongings? If so, you probably have some clutter in your home, and it may be taking a toll on your mental health.
Clutter vs. Hoarding
“All of us keep some things we don’t use, and some of us end up with clutter that impinges on our living and/or work spaces. Collecting too much stuff may be a problem in that it can interfere with our organization and sense of emotional balance,” explains Susan Evans, PhD, director of the Cornell Cognitive Therapy Clinic at Weill Cornell.
Hoarding, however, is a serious problem as well as a psychiatric disorder.
“Hoarding is a chronic, persistent behavior that entails excessive acquisition of and difficulty discarding things,” says Dr. Evans. Hoarding is associated with problems in relationships and social and/or occupational functioning. Hoarding can lead to serious safety concerns, such as fire hazards, an increased risk of falling, and unsanitary living conditions. People with hoarding disorder often have feelings of shame as well as anxiety, and hoarding is commonly associated with anxiety and mood disorders.
A person with hoarding disorder feels he or she needs to save things, even if they have little or no practical use and are worth little or no money, and experiences great distress at the thought of parting with his or her possessions. Saved items fill or block active living spaces so the spaces either cannot be used (for example, the bathtub cannot be used because it is full of newspapers) or use is hampered (for example, items must be removed from the stovetop before cooking).
Why Keep It?
“People often have difficulty getting rid of things for emotional reasons. There may also be some sentimental factors that make it difficult to let go of something,” explains Dr. Evans. For example, you may have a set of china that you never use but you keep because it was given to you as a wedding present. There may also be beliefs or assumptions related to the potential utility of an item, such as thinking, “I may need it in the future,” or, “It’s wasteful to throw away things that still work.” Certain personality traits, such as indecisiveness or procrastination, may also contribute to clutter.
Benefits of Clearing Clutter
“Surrounding ourselves with stuff may give us a sense of comfort, but clearing out our physical space can free up our minds and allow us to fully embrace the present,” says Dr. Evans. Benefits may include fostering a sense of order, calmness, and clarity. Having an organized, clutter-free environment may also give us an improved sense of well-being and reduced tension and anxiety.
How to Declutter
When clearing clutter, Dr. Evans says a good place to start is by writing down the pros and cons of decluttering. This exercise can provide a source of motivation to clear away clutter, and you can always refer to your list to remind yourself of how your life will improve by letting go of things you don’t need. The advantages may include having more space, being able to invite people over, and earning money by selling items. You may also find that you sleep better and that your focus and concentration improve.
Decide on a system before you begin. For example, decide to declutter one room at a time, or sort through items by category, such as clothing, magazines, and books. Also, have a detailed plan for sorting; for example, place items in separate piles that you will discard, donate to charity, and keep.
As you sort, identify and address thoughts, assumptions, and beliefs that are impeding your ability to get rid of things (“My mother/sister/aunt/husband gave that to me as a gift,” or, “I paid so much money for this I can’t give it away”).
If You Need Help
If you are having difficulty decluttering on your own, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful.
“CBT is a practical therapeutic approach that helps you address underlying dysfunctional thoughts that get in the way of achieving your goals. If you think you have a hoarding disorder, seek help from a mental health counselor with expertise in this area,” advises Dr. Evans. A counselor will also be able to evaluate if your hoarding behavior may be related to an underlying or associated mood or anxiety disorder, such as depression, attention-deficit disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. If such a disorder is present, it may be treated with medication, which may allow you to more easily proceed with decluttering.
The post Do Some Decluttering to Clear Your Space and Your Brain appeared first on University Health News.
Read Original Article: Do Some Decluttering to Clear Your Space and Your Brain »
Powered by WPeMatico
