Declutter Your Environment and Your Brain

I’m devoting the next few blog posts to my Lotus of Life graphic. I created this to be a coaching tool, based on a similar graphic we used in my program at IIN. As my clients work through my coaching program, they begin to look at aspects of their lives outside of food. Environment is one of the “petals” on this graphic.

So let’s talk about environment. Home or office, sometimes things get away from us and we lose track of how we accumulated so much stuff. When you look around your home, does it feel a bit overwhelming? Are there piles of old mail, magazines and papers? Can you see the surface of your desk, dressers or countertops? Believe it or not, a lack of organization can contribute to increased irritability, anxiety and negative feelings, as well as reduced productivity. There are health benefits associated with getting organized.

Having a home or office environment that is free of clutter helps the mind to be less busy or anxious. I usually suggest to clients that they start with a small area, such as the nightstand. It’s the first thing you see when you awaken, and the last before you fall asleep. So it’s no surprise that decluttering your nightstand can contribute to improved sleep hygiene. Having a busy brain may prevent you from winding down. An organized nightstand may positively impact your sleep.

Start by taking everything off of the top, empty any drawers and shelves. Now think about the things you will use on a daily basis, morning or evening, and put them back with intention. A relaxing book or a journal with a favorite pen, your favorite eye cream or hand cream, perhaps a jade roller, morning or evening supplements, you get the idea. Whatever you will use as part of your morning and evening regimens. Include a vase of flowers or a potted plant. It not only looks beautiful but it is a natural air cleanser.

Once you are pleased with your nightstand, try another area of your home. Break down large rooms into small areas and approach one at a time so as not to become too overwhelming. Make some time to reorganize your work station or home office with intention, the way you organized your night stand, and reap the productivity benefits. A clean workspace can increase concentration levels and creativity.

Decluttering can improve your mood. Stress levels can increase in response to a messy space – especially if you can’t find what you’re looking for when you need it. In the kitchen we use the term “mise en place” or, everything in its place. When you’re working in a busy environment like a commercial kitchen, you don’t have time to go searching for the tools or equipment you need. It is expected that the entire crew knows where each item belongs, and puts them back in their place. Home is a much smaller and less chaotic environment to adapt this policy, not just in your kitchen, but throughout.

Finally, it’s good for you environmentally. Excess stuff in our homes or offices is not only messy, it accumulates dust and causes allergens. Cleaning up helps to rid spaces of any toxins or impurities in the air. Give it a try and let me know your results. I think you might just breathe a little easier, both literally and figuratively, by getting organized.