Did you know that being organized can improve your health? It’s true!
Living in a time where a contagious virus has spanned the world- and a season where so many are concerned about a “tripledemic,”- the flu, coronavirus, and RSV- it is important to take care of yourself. Of course, eating healthy, keeping in good physical condition, getting enough rest, and keeping stress levels low are all important to maintaining your health.
A lack of organization can directly lead to the opposite, and the negative impacts of the above if not followed properly.
Planning daily meals and snacks can help you prioritize healthy eating, and a balanced diet. (See my blog post for ideas about meal planning). What happens when you forget to pack lunch? You may become irritable, you may impulse eat, you may turn to junk food that will give you short-term energy. Make a schedule of meals so that you and your family know you will all be well taken care of and you feel good all day.
Disorganization can lead to a lack of sleep. Say, at bedtime, you climb into bed, shut off the light, and your mind becomes distracted by all things you have to do but forgot to write them down. This could have been prevented by making a daily schedule and list of tasks (which yes, can sometimes seem endless!). Schedules and lists eliminate these distractions caused by being disorganized and disrupting a good night’s sleep.
Did you stay up later than anticipated to finish a task because it was not scheduled, or due to not being able to find your (fill-in-the-blank) that you need for the morning? This, too occurred as a result of being disorganized, and can cause delays at bedtime.
Being organized keeps stress levels low. When you can’t find your belongings, imagine an increased heart rate, worries about being late for work or to pick up your children from school. When everything is in its place you can grab and go! According to selecthealth.com, being organized- including knowing where your stuff is- lowers your cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone.
What about mental health? Scientific research by intermountainhealthcare.org says clutter can lead to depression and anxiety. A study found that women’s descriptions of their homes during a “home tour” experiment may predict their everyday experiences of stress and mood. Those who described their homes as more stressful, related to clutter and unfinished projects, tended to show increased levels of cortisone and greater increase in mood across the day. Those who described their homes as more “restorative,” indicating more satisfaction in their home living showed lower cortisol levels and decreased depressed mood across the day.
Keeping your personal spaces organized can contribute to a healthier you this season, and this year.
It’s 2023! Need help organizing your home or setting a schedule so you start the year off right? Reach out, I can help!
Has there ever been a time when you felt your physical or mental health decline due to an organizational "flaw?" Were you able to overcome this? How? Comment below!