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24 alaska parent spring 2024 AlaskaParent.comHow to Declutter Your Life to Reduce StressBy Sandi SchwartzIs all that “stuff” surrounding you stressing you out? The sheer existence of clutter can make us feel anxious, helpless, overwhelmed, embarrassed, ashamed and/or guilty. According to a study by UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families, the amount of stress family members experience at home is directly proportional to the amount of stuff they accumulate.We may not even recognize that clutter is the source of our stress, especially if it’s been part of our environment for a while. With a few steps, you can identify why the mess is causing you stress and what to do about it.Clutter causes stress because it: The stuff taking over your closets, drawers and counters starts to create negative energy throughout your home. Those piles exude chaos, disorder and confusion.When we clean up, our stress starts to dissipate, and we feel more positive energy to help us live a happier, healthier life.According to Joyce Marter, licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of Urban Balance, “Our environment is a direct reflection of our internal mental health and vice versa. So, if our home is disorganized, our minds may feel scattered as well. Home organization promotes serenity and wellness in your life.” She suggests purging unnecessary items from our home so that we can live more efficiently. When we have less clutter to manage, we save time and are less stressed.WHY CLUTTER CAUSES STRESSWHY REDUCING CLUTTER HELPS• Overstimulates our mind and overloads our senses• Distracts us• Constantly signals our brain that we have more work to do• Makes it very hard for us to relax both physically and mentally• Creates feelings of guilt and embarrassment when guests come over and see our disorganization• Frustrates us when we have trouble finding what we need• Stunts creativity and productivity because our brain is overwhelmed