Many of us feel anxious or unable to focus in cluttered spaces. This is because our brains are designed to process information efficiently. Clutter creates a constant barrage of visual stimuli, making it difficult to focus and causing mental fatigue. It can also make us feel like we’ve lost control, despite our emotional attachment to many of the items that cause clutter.
Research from Princeton University shows that cluttered environments overwhelm the visual cortex, limiting the brain’s processing capacity and ability to focus. The research paper found that “Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation by mutually suppressing their evoked activity throughout the visual cortex, providing a neural correlate for the limited processing capacity of the visual system.”
In non-neuroscience jargon, this means that when your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information. It makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organised, and serene environment.
To rid ourselves of clutter, we should take the time to organise our spaces. Organising is when we get rid of unnecessary items to create a balanced, functional, and sustainable space.
Realign is Here to Help
Enlist Debra and her team to help you organise your space, bringing back calm to the chaos. With years of experience and expertise, we make decluttering and tidying up effortless. Let us help you discover the peace an organised space can bring you and your loved ones. To learn more, contact us today.