It's common to have clutter somewhere in your home. The pile of papers you've forgotten to file away. A stack of boxes left over from your last move. A closet overflowing with clothes you never wear. Half of Americans have at least one room that's so cluttered that they think it’s impossible to fix.
A messy home is an even bigger problem among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), who are twice as likely to have a clutter problem as people without it. The more serious issue of a hoarding disorder is also common among those with MS.
Fatigue, movement issues, vision problems, and cognitive problems may be to blame. "If you have a gait [walking] impairment…or you're exhausted or confused, you might leave things out or not have the energy to put them away in the right spot," says J. Tamar Kalina, PhD, an occupational therapist in New Milford, NJ. Or you might leave things out to remind you when you forget. Holding on to things also gives you at least some control over a condition that seems out of your control.
A cluttered home doesn't just look messy — it could be risky to your health. You might trip over items left on the floor or misplace your medicines. It's hard to prepare healthy meals when the sink is full of dirty dishes. And there's less time to exercise when it takes you an hour to find your sneakers.
Clearing out has many health benefits. And there are lots of workarounds to keep your home clutter-free without tiring you out.
6 Benefits of Decluttering Your Home
If you need a few reasons to get organized, here are five ways that decluttering can improve your health.
1. Improved focus
Cognitive changes from MS already make it hard to pay attention. If you're surrounded by piles of stuff, you have to focus on lots of things at once, which is tough to do. Clutter also changes how your brain processes what you see. In a messy room, you're less able to identify what you're looking at.
2. Less stress
Life with a chronic condition is already stressful. Messy surroundings only add to the stress. Having too many things in front of you may be a lot to handle. In one study, women who saw their homes as cluttered had higher levels of cortisol — a stress hormone.
3. More restful sleep
The more piles of books, clothes, and other stuff you have in the bedroom, the harder it is to fall asleep and sleep soundly through the night. Research finds that people who live in cluttered homes are more likely to have insomnia and sleep disturbances.
4. A better social life
A messy home isn't a welcoming place to invite guests. If you stop inviting people over and go out less often because you don't want to return the favor, it could lead to social isolation. Loneliness worsens depression, which is already more common with MS.
5. Less financial strain
You're more likely to buy new clothes or other items you don't need when you can't find the ones you already have. Extra bank accounts and credit cards put even more stress on your finances.
6. More control over your home
MS is an unpredictable disease because you don't know how it will affect you years from now. That unpredictability can make you feel like you've lost control over your life. A disorganized house has a similar effect. "When your clutter is taking over, it's like your home is in control instead of you," says Kalina. "By taking action and regaining control, emotionally it's very empowering."
Decluttering Tips
Do you want to declutter your home but don't know where to start? Here are some ideas to get the process going.
Make a plan. List all the areas of your home that you want to declutter. Break each area into a series of small steps: Throw out the pile of magazines in your bedroom. Donate the unworn dresses in your closet. Get rid of expired spices in your kitchen. Check off each step as you finish to track your progress.
Divide and conquer. Decluttering will tire you out if you try to do too much at once. "There's no need to overhaul your home, especially in a day or two. It's a slow process," says Kalina. Start with 10-15 minutes a day. It will add up to almost two hours a week — enough time to get a lot done.
Start with a small area. Your home didn't get cluttered in one day. Don't expect to clear it out in a day. "Choose one area, whether it's your living room or even a coffee table," says Kalina. Clean out that one spot and don't put anything else there so that at least one part of your home is clutter-free. Then, check it off your to-do list.
Save your energy. Even short periods of work can be tiring. Take breaks often to sit down and recharge.
Sort it out. Get five large containers. Label them:
- Throw out: This is for things you can't use or don't use. Toss away old magazines or newspapers, clothes you haven't worn in six months or longer, and anything that's damaged or broken.
- Give away: Things that a charity, friend, or hospital might use go in here.
- Sell: Use this bin for things that have value, such as jewelry, electronics, and clothes or shoes that are in good condition. Consign them or have a yard sale.
- Store: Put items you don't regularly use but you will eventually, such as sleeping bags or a Christmas tree, into storage.
- Keep: Hold on to anything that you use or has sentimental value to you.
Every time you clean out an area of your home, put items in these bins. Once a bin is full, follow the directions on the label.
Hire help. Invite a few friends over and ask them to help you sort through your stuff in exchange for pizza or a movie. If you don't know which things to keep and which to get rid of, hire a professional organizer or ask a friend to give you advice. An occupational therapist can teach you energy-saving techniques to make decluttering easier.
Stay cool. Heat sensitivity is a problem with MS. Use a fan and wear a cooling vest so you don't get too hot while you clean.
Digitize. Scan old documents and transfer medical records, photos, CDs, cassettes, and videotapes into digital formats. Keep your favorite originals and throw out the rest.
Think before you buy. To avoid making more clutter once you've cleaned out, avoid impulse buys. Think carefully about each purchase. Ask yourself: "Do I already have something like it at home?" "Do I really need this?" If the answer to these questions is "no," leave it in the store. Or at least go home and think about it. If you do buy something, get rid of a similar item you already have.
A Room-By-Room Guide to Removing Clutter
Kitchen
A general rule is that if a task takes less than five minutes — like taking out the trash, washing dishes, or throwing out something expired in the fridge — do it right away. This will prevent your kitchen from getting cluttered in the first place. To clear away existing clutter, store appliances you don't often use in cabinets. Working one drawer and shelf at a time, throw out expired foods and spices. Toss away kitchen tools you no longer use.
Hallway
You need space to safely get around your home, especially if you use a wheelchair or walker. Remove any books, loose rugs, and furniture that are in your way and might make you fall. The same advice goes for every room in your home.
Bathroom
Go through your medicine cabinet. Throw out any expired medicines or toiletries, as well as anything you no longer use. Use a shower caddy and countertop storage system to organize all the products you do use.
Bedroom
Set aside designated spaces for things you use every day. For example, keep your phone charger and wallet on your nightstand, and put your jewelry on top of your dresser to make them easy to find. Put everything else into an empty drawer or underbed storage.
Closet
Clean out your closets every season, or at least once a year. Get rid of any clothes and shoes you haven't worn in a long time and don't plan on wearing again.
