Clear Your Clutter and Get Better Health
Taking the time to clear your clutter is good for your health according to reaserch. Continuing the theme of National Organisation month, Scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute in New Jersey uncovered some startling data regarding how a disorganized, clutter-filled environment can affect you mentally. They published their findings in the January, 2011 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. Here is the science-talk takeaway:
“Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation by mutually suppressing their evoked activity throughout visual cortex, providing a neural correlate for the limited processing capacity of the visual system.”
Clutter shuts down the brains ability to process information
In layman’s terms, the scientific wordage above is saying that clutter shuts down the ability of your brain to process even simple information. Your ability to focus is severely restricted. Subconsciously, even though you may be trying to focus on one task or stream of input, your mind is busy trying to process everything that your eyes see on the periphery of your vision.
Clutter shuts down the ability of your brain to process even simple information.
This can make you feel frustrated and angry at the end of your day. You were working hard all day long, really trying to get a lot accomplished, but your clutter was guaranteeing that you were less productive than you could have been.
Design psychologist and organisation specialist, Kelli Ellis, stated that clutter “follows” you into every aspect of your life.
If you lack organization and order at home, your work space will be clutter-filled as well. If you have a cluttered living area, your computer, phone, personal and business relationships, finances and all other areas of your life are probably cluttered and disorganized too. So when you learn to clear your clutter, you create a more productive environment everywhere you go.
Learn to clear your clutter and you will create a more productive environment.
Clear your Clutter, if you don’t, it can negatively impact your health.
If you fail to regularly clear your clutter, It will create a lot of stress. Why is that a problem? Stress elevates your heart rate, and if untreated, can lead to high blood pressure and even an irregular heartbeat called arrhythmia. Stress affects your respiratory system as well. In some people, this incredible strain on your lungs when you are anxious and stressed out can lead to a panic attack.
Stress keeps your digestive system in a constant state of agitation. This skyrockets the possibility that you will develop ulcers, nausea, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and several digestion related issues. Your skin, your immune system, your muscles, your body weight and even your reproductive system are affected negatively by stress.
As you can see, even if you believe a cluttered, disorganized, messy environment has no effect on you, it’s causing physical and mental damage in several ways. Have you struggled with your weight, chronic anxiety and stress, or other physical and mental problems your entire life? Have you tried in vain to alleviate those issues?
Taking the time to clear your clutter maybe the secret weapon to better health.
It could be that simply taking the time to clear your clutter in your home or office is the secret weapon that has been missing from your approach to health and wellness. Clear your clutter, and you may just find yourself slimmer and trimmer, calm and focused, happier and healthier.
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Till Next Time
Mike Gardner is The Time Doctor
