Coined by the notable science fiction author, Phillip K. Dick, ‘kipple’ is a term that often refers to all the possessions that you have but never used, and left to collect dust. To a certain degree, we are all guilty of purchasing things that appeal to us willy nilly, and not utilising any of them upon purchase.

It’s common knowledge that a messy house can physically impact one’s general health and wellbeing, but what about our mental health? Is the old adage “tidy home, tidy mind” a phrase to live by? If you’ve been wondering about the very same thing, we have just the answers you seek!

General Effects On Mental Health

Mess and clutter are, simply put, tangible proof of unfinished work. On top of constantly misplacing your important things, it’s highly distracting. Your ability to focus on the task at hand will dip and the urge to do some general cleaning will slowly become an itch you’d desperately want to scratch. The knowledge that you need to clean will linger at the back of your head, putting you at a massive disadvantage when you’re working or just trying to relax. In addition to a drop in productivity levels, having items strewn all over will also physically limit your working space, and you’d soon realise that comfort is an element that is out of reach.

Stress And Anxiety

A 2009 study on mental health has shown that women who had higher levels of cortisol had one thing in common: an untidy or cluttered home. They also reported experiencing more depressive symptoms during the day, and an overall higher level of anxiety compared to those with average or lower levels of the said hormone. In addition, too much stress and anxiety can transform into physical ailments such as suppressed immune system, increased blood pressure and heart rate, amongst many other things. Also, you’d experience a drop in sleep quality.

Depression

A common misconception that a messy house a byproduct of laziness and an accumulation of unhygienic daily habits. Whilst this might hold some truth, an uncluttered home may also signal something even more serious – depression.

Those suffering from depression may not have the motivation or physical energy to get out of their bed, much less ensure that their home is neat and tidy.

Despite being straightforward and almost mindless of a task, cleaning can be physically, emotionally and mentally draining for those with depression. Unfortunately, this just serves as a never-ending cycle as an untidy home can make one feel even worse about oneself and the entire situation; thus fuelling one’s depression even more.

In addition to the physical mess, mould can also aggravate one’s depression and feelings of hopelessness. Even minimal exposure can significantly increase the severity of one’s depression symptoms by a whopping 30%.

As such, an untidy home doesn’t only bear drawbacks to your physical health, but it’ll also affect your mental psyche. In the ideal case, you’d be able to prevent these negative impacts by decluttering, reorganising and cleaning your home on your own. Not only can you enjoy a clean home, but you’d also be able to feel less anxious or overly emotional, and you’d see an increase in self-esteem. These benefits will extend to whoever who is living with you as well. So, encourage your roommates, spouse or children to clean with you too!

If you are at a position where you don’t have the mental space, emotional capacity or physical strength to clean your home, you may want to look into getting professionals to help you. Hiring a professional cleaning company offering house cleaning services will help you attain an environment that is favourable and beneficial to both your physical and mental wellbeing, giving you the much-needed assistance in your journey towards recovery!