Clutter and How It Affects Health

Clutter can cause a variety of health and emotional problems. It can affect our stress levels and make us anxious or depressed. It can affect our relationships with our families and friends, affect our sleep, and even trigger physical and mental changes that cause problems with digestion or lower our immune response. Just seeing clutter can wear our brains out. Then there is the dirt, dust, allergens, and irritants that can accumulate when regular cleaning just can’t be done properly because stuff is in the way. There is a path forward, and we are here to help provide some resources for folks who might need a place to start.

Is it Clutter or Hoarding? 

It’s important to understand the difference between clutter and hoarding. And for the sake of argument here, we won’t be talking about collecting. Different animal entirely.  If hoarding is the case, what level of hoarding is present? 

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) developed the Clutter–Hoarding Scale™ (C–HS™) to serve as an observational guideline tool for the assessment of residential environments and is intended for the assessment of the household environment only. 

There are five levels to indicate the degree of household clutter and/or hoarding from the perspective of a professional organizer or related professional. If hoarding is the case, professional services and counseling are likely needed. If  the Clutter Level is at 4 or below, some simple strategies and thought processes may help getting to a lower level.

The Different Five levels of Clutter 

Thinking differently about stuff.

Understanding the reasons why someone might collect and store so much “stuff” is where the journey begins. 

When people hold onto things, it may be because they feel they’ll be useful again. Someday. That’s because all things have some intrinsic value. After all, sometimes the only place you’re going to find that particular bolt or screw you need is because you’ve held onto it, like, forever, and it lives in that carton in the basement that is filled with screws and bolts. And that can be a good thing. 

There’s nothing wrong with valuing your items. However, when you have more than you need (say you have 10 boxes of paper clips), it’s time to share that valued item with someone else who can use it. Someone in the community really might need, appreciate and use those items that you have and aren’t likely to use. 

Another reason people might hold onto things is out of fear. They’re afraid they might need a specific item “one day,” but often that one day never comes. And if it does, it may be buried, or they’ve forgotten where it is. Recognizing that challenge and concept may help with being able to let go of some items. Remember: If the things are organized and have a place, there will be less need to buy duplicates when you need them. 

Another common reason people hold on to too much stuff is because items may have sentimental value. This is especially true with children’s creations and things that may have been passed down to us from a loved one who is no longer here. For example:

• If you have a bunch of sweet drawings your children have made, take photos of the items and make a memory book. Looking through a book is a lot easier and enjoyable than dragging drawings and photos out of the box in the basement. And there’s less chance of them getting damaged in the long run. 
• Have a bunch of clothing from a loved one who’s passed? Pick your favorite shirt or clothing item and have it made into a memory bear or quilt. Or, just keep that one special thing instead of keeping a whole closet full of things. 

What happens next?

After thinking about the emotional reasons behind the “stuff,” here are some action steps you can take. Of course, the approach might be a little different when considering a home that is cluttered, versus one that is hoarded. But you can start on the same path. Here are some great tips 

Uncluttered Simplicity, “10 Decluttering Tips For Hoarders, Packrats, And Clutterbugs”

• Get some help.  Just like with a new exercise program, a new diet, quitting smoking, or any other new activity, getting support from friends, family, counselors, or service providers adds some positive momentum to the process of decluttering and cleaning.
• Stop the flow of things coming in. This may mean if one item comes in, one needs to go out. That may sound drastic, but for someone who hoards, it may mean one thing in, fifty things out. This is a concept and skill that will need to be used in the future, long after the decluttering has taken place.  
• Start with the trash. Most homes in the clutter levels won’t have as much trash accumulation, but often homes that are hoarded have trash that invites pests, mold, and bacteria. This can create a safety hazard. And, remember,  If you are the one helping someone with this process, be sure to get their permission before you throw trash away because it may not feel like trash to them. Help them see why it needs to be thrown out. 
• Sort out what can be kept and cleaned and what can be donated or thrown away (if contaminated). This can be tricky depending on the level of attachment to items. If there is a strong attachment to everything in the house and it causes severe anxiety to let things go, professional intervention is likely needed.
• Don’t get overwhelmed. Start small with a table, a counter, a particular room. If the home is hoarded, the first step may need to be clearing a safe pathway. The next step is to clean up the kitchen, bathroom, and somewhere to sleep, since those are very important functional spaces.
• Finishing a small task will create confidence and momentum for the next area. These small wins are important for staying focused and positive for the road ahead. If you begin feeling overwhelmed, take a break from the process. Think about what the goal is (maybe it’s just creating a safe and functional environment to start).  Giving yourself some grace may help overcome those mental struggles. It didn’t get this way overnight and it won’t get better overnight. But, if you make enough steps in a positive direction, it is sure to get better with time.

Please note that this common knowledge information is for general purposes only. We’re sharing this information from a number of sources and is intended to help with a situation that we have often encountered.  

Helping People who Hoard: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening

Licensed, certified, and legal perspectives can be secured from other appropriate sources. If you or a loved one appears to be suffering from hoarding, licensed, certified, and legal perspectives can be secured from other appropriate sources.