So, we’re stuck at home. What used to be our kitchen table is now our office space. What used to be our living room is now our gym. We’re still adjusting to this new reality. Although classes have continued remotely, many of us have more time on our hands now than we did before being quarantined. As scary as it is, we don’t know what’s going to happen, or when. We’re living day by day, waiting for new to break that will provide us with an idea of when our lives will resume back to normal. The uncertainty of this situation makes it difficult to commit to a daily schedule, often creating a negative feedback loop of stagnancy. Feelings of stress and a lack of control only exacerbate unhealthy habits such as procrastination, over or under-eating, not getting enough exercise, and inconsistent sleeping. Believe it or not, the first step to combatting these unhealthy habits isn’t as monumental as you might think, it may be as simple as cleaning your room.
A clean room makes for a clear mind. Have you heard this before? Well, there’s a reason for it. According to Psychologist, Sherrie Bourg Carter: mess causes stress. As Carter suggests, “clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren't necessary or important.” A team of researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute conducted a study to establish a concrete connection between mental and physical disorders. What they found was rather straightforward: Physical clutter in your environment inhibits your ability to focus and process information from a cognitive standpoint.
It’s not that hard to believe, is it? It makes sense. Physical spaces can affect our physiological patterns. A messy room will affect our attentional modulation and inhibit our productivity. Decluttering can even mentally prepare us for other activities. Clearing physical space not only allows us to partake in other activities, it gives us time to engage with ourselves, and it provides us with a sense of accomplishment which translates into motivation. The physical and mental benefits of cleaning can create a positive feedback loop, producing both a better mindset and increased productivity. Cleaning your room may provide you with a sense of control and power over your life that you feel you’ve been lacking; helping you get back on track to a better schedule and helping to create healthier habits.