Clutter. Junk. Stuff. There are a lot of names for the items we let pile up in our homes. It could be a closet packed with too-small clothing or an attic filled to the brim with old or broken belongings. Whatever it is and wherever it is, this clutter can be detrimental to your household’s health and financial well-being. Below, we’ll go over the reasons you should declutter and give your home a health-boosting refresh.
Did you know that the average American home contains more than 300,000 items? From paper clips to children’s toys, all the little things add up to a gargantuan amount of stuff. At times, so much stuff could turn out to be harmful. For instance, as dust accumulates on overlooked, unmoved stacks, it may trigger allergies and other unwanted symptoms. These stacks can also create tripping hazards.
Piles of stuff can also lead to more stress; numerous studies show a correlation between clutter and increased stress levels. Such high levels of stress — whether from work, home or otherwise — are bad for our health. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports 80% of medical expenditures in the United Sates are related to excess stress.
In addition to stress, too much clutter can impact a person’s anxiety. Individuals who live in cluttered environments frequently report heightened levels of anxiety, which impacts our mental and physical well-being. Plus, research shows that anxiety makes people more prone to impulse buying, which further exacerbates the clutter problem.
What might be done about clutter? The first step is to set realistic goals on clearing away the mess. Often, this means establishing achievable targets, such as defining areas of the house that should be tackled right away. Once a plan is in place, it’s time to get started and get sorting. Experts recommend organizing items by these three categories: keep, donate and discard.
As you go through one area and item at a time, ask important questions relating to the usefulness of the item, how often it’s used and so on. This creates an easy process of elimination to follow and moves the project along quickly. Another route is to call in outside help. A professional, full-service removal company can promptly clear away clutter and make the whole process more efficient and less taxing.
If allowed, clutter can profoundly impact a person’s life. The key is to stay ahead of the mess by adopting a healthier mindset toward purchasing decisions while also performing decluttering sessions routinely. That way, you can stop the clutter in its tracks and steer clear of the negative effects it can have on your health and your wallet.
Want to learn more about the cost of clutter and how to get rid of it? Check out the accompanying resource from Stand Up Guys for more information.
The Cost Of Clutter: How Junk Impacts Your Finances, was contributed by Stand Up Guys, your first choice for dumpster rental services
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