Tidy Home, Clear Mind: The Power of Decluttering for Mental Wellness | Clutterbug Podcast # 271

Have you ever torn your house apart looking for something that was exactly where it should have been? Or spent hours tidying, only to find the mess returned overnight? You’re not alone—and you’re not a failure. In this episode, I dive deep into the powerful science behind clutter and how it impacts your brain, your stress levels, and even your physical health. Discover how decluttering isn’t just about a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s about rewiring your brain for clarity, calm, and joy. You’ll learn: Why clutter overwhelms your brain and saps your energy How a tidy space can boost your focus, creativity, and sleep Simple, science-backed tricks to master motivation and beat decision fatigue How minimalism might be the mental freedom you’ve been craving So grab a trash bag, hit play, and let’s declutter together—because your sanity is worth it.   Show Notes & Links: Join the Take Your House Back Course (on sale now!)https://www.takeyourhouseback.com/courses/take-your-house-back?ref=5bbd37 All Day Declutter Event – May 3rdBe part of a community declutter day with real-time coaching and support from Cas, Dana, and Dawn.   Studies & Research Mentioned: Visual Clutter Affects Brain FunctionMcMains & Kastner – Princeton Neuroscience Institutehttps://www.princeton.edu/news/2011/01/13/too-much-information-study-shows-overload-affects-brain-function Desk Clutter & ProductivitySame Princeton lab study – desk simulation showed 20% faster performance in tidy spaces(See link above) Clutter and Chronic ProcrastinationJoseph Ferrari’s work on clutter and avoidance behaviorhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari Cortisol Levels in Cluttered HomesUCLA “No Place Like Home” study (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384438/ 15-Minute Tidy-Up and Anxiety ReductionStudy by Our Mental Health (Nov 2024)https://www.ourmentalhealth.org Clean Desks Boost Accuracy & CreativityColton Moulton (2015) – anecdotal reference, source not available Implementation Intentions Increase Follow-ThroughGollwitzer & Sheeran (2006)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260106380050   Tools and Methods Mentioned: 20/20 Rule – The Minimalistshttps://www.theminimalists.com/clutter/ Pomodoro (20/10 Timer Method)https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique Temptation Bundling – Katy Milkmanhttps://behavioralscientist.org/how-to-make-temptation-work-for-you/   Tag me on social media (@clutterbug_me) and share your wins!Your progress might just inspire someone else to start closing the clutter tabs in their brain too.   #clutterbug #podcast #mondaymotivation #thepowerofdecluttering