Clear Your Space, Clear Your Mind: The Health Benefits of Organizing

When you think about organizing something what images come to your mind? Do you picture matching baskets, labeled canisters, or a neat and tidy room? All these images represent organizing, this is true. Organizing, though, isn’t just about being neat and tidy. There are health benefits that are directly related to organizing. Yes. Organizing your home has an impact on your physical and mental health. When you clear your space, you create an environment which supports a healthier and happier lifestyle.

I am reviewing three main areas to address when you clear your space.

Organized Kitchen = Healthier Eating

The first area to clear is your kitchen. When you organize your kitchen the health benefit is that it’s easier to make healthy meals. You may be less inclined to order fast food because you have access to the things you need to quickly prepare a meal for yourself.

I want to state the obvious – when you organize your kitchen, you are also clearing the counters. This creates space in which to prepare and cook healthier meals. Plus, clear counters are easy to clean which in turn means that germs or bacteria do not have a chance to collect.

The place to begin this organizing activity is the Pantry. Treat your shelves as if they were the shelves in the grocery store. First group like items, then put the older items in front of the newer ones. The reason for doing this is that you want to use items before they have a chance to expire.

Another thing to consider is the placement of your cooking tools, accessories, dishes, and cutlery. Organize the drawers and cupboards so things are as near to where they are being used as possible.

For example: keep your dishes, cups, and cutlery as near to the dishwasher as possible. This makes emptying the dishwasher super simple.

Pot and pans go near the stove and/or oven.

Organizing your kitchen this way reduces stress at mealtime because your tools and ingredients are accessible and easy to find.

Organized Bedroom = Better Sleep

Getting to sleep, winding down after a busy day is difficult for many people. Organizing your bedroom and creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere makes it possible for your body to relax and lean into the idea of rest.

What does it mean to organize a bedroom?

I’m so glad you asked!

There are no piles of random belongings waiting to be put away. This includes clean clothes waiting to be hung in the closet or placed in drawers or on shelves.

Shoes are either not in sight or are neatly placed out of the way, so they don’t become a tripping hazard.

The bedside table has the things you need and nothing else.

Clear your bedroom space, reduce the clutter, and invite peacefulness so you sleep better.

Less Visual Clutter = Less Mental Clutter

In general when you clear your space, it follows that you reduce visual clutter. Visual clutter is a reminder of things you need to do. This in turn creates mental clutter.

What is mental clutter?

Typically, it is thoughts that cycle through your brain, reminding you of things to do.  It can be a collection of thoughts or worries. Mental clutter makes it difficult to focus and make decisions. When you reduce the visual clutter and reminders you also reduce mental clutter which makes it easier to feel at peace in your home.

An additional benefit of clearing your space and reducing the clutter is that it takes less time to clean your home. It is so much easier to clean a counter or tabletop when there are only a few things to move. This means that there are fewer places for dust and allergens to collect.  This in turn means more free time for you to do with as you wish.

Conclusion:

There are many health-related benefits of organizing your home. I have just barely scratched the surface by highlighting these three areas: organizing your kitchen, your bedroom, and clearing space in general.

When you pay attention and clear your space in these areas you will eat better, have better sleep, less stress, and more time to enjoy your life. I encourage you to start in one small area and see what a difference organizing in that spot can make.

If you would like to learn more about the link between organizing and health benefits, join Jonda Beattie and me on Friday, May 9^th, 2025 at noon ET for our monthly organizing class. Register for this great class here.  

Diane N. Quintana is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. She is an ADHD Organizing Specialist, a Hoarding Specialist, and a Chronic Disorganization Specialist. Diane is also an ICD Master Trainer, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Professional Organizer and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing.