These Are The Psychological Benefits Of Cleaning Out Your Closet

Although clutter drives even the most hot mess moms crazy, we can’t deny that it’s a very real part of most of our lives. However, spring cleaning is in full swing and most of us could really use any form of distraction from coronavirus news or our kids at this point. If you’re looking for a great place to start decluttering, consider cleaning out your closet — it turns out there are actually many psychological benefits to doing it!

You’ll Feel Less Stressed

If you’ve spent any time with a cluttered closet, than you’ve probably experienced at least some clutter-related stress. In fact, psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter says that clutter bombards our minds, pushes us to feel on edge, and even prevents us from relaxing.

Researchers at UCLA found that jam-packed closets and large amounts of clutter can increase your body’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Over time, high levels of cortisol may cause weight gain, high blood pressure, sleep disruptions, mood swings, reduced energy levels and even diabetes. Other research studies found that clutter-related stress can also lead to unhealthy food choices and overeating.

Although clearing away unnecessary clothing won’t completely erase your stress, it will definitely help.

You’ll Feel Less Depressed

While stress is difficult enough to handle, depression can complicate things even more. It’s actually a vicious cycle because depression often leads to cluttered, messy homes and the clutter then makes us feel even more depressed. When you remove the clutter in at least one space within your house, though, your entire environment will feel lighter and more cheerful — not to mention that the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel will also boost your mood.

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It’ll Improve Your Relationship

Excess clothing doesn’t just cramp your closet; it can also impact your relationship with your spouse or domestic partner. The National Institutes of Health found that couples who lived in cluttered environments struggled to read each other’s body language and intimately connect.

When people were in a cluttered environment, they had a harder time reading people’s facial expressions. Although you might not fight in your closet with your husband, cleaning out the closet can help you both feel more connected.

You’ll Clear The Clutter In Other Parts Of Your Home

Although clutter seems contagious, organization can be, too. Once you start clearing out old clothing you no longer wear, you’ll feel motivated to tackle another room. What’s more, experts say that when we create physical space in our lives, we also lighten our emotional load. This will help you feel more focused and productive, which will in turn allow you to dedicate that energy into clearing out useless items throughout your entire house.

How To Get Started

While there are many approaches to decluttering, one of the easiest ways to handle cleaning out your closet is by starting small. Try cleaning out just shoes or even just a dresser drawer. You can start by even organizing clothes in a certain way then pushing items you don’t wear towards the back then clearing them out at the end of the month. The important part is starting somewhere then letting the sense of accomplishment do the majority of the work.

Remember that cleaning out your closet is not the same thing as just moving items into a storage bin or box, though. To remove the clutter, you must actually remove the items from your house entirely. You can sell items, thrift them, or even donate them — just make sure the items leave your house.

So, what are you waiting for, mom? Clear out those pencil skirts and maternity jeans you haven’t worn in years and remove some stress from your life!