depressed and fatigued than women who described their homes as “ restful ” and “ restorative .” The researchers also found that women with cluttered homes expressed higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol .
In 2011 , researchers at Princeton University found that clutter can actually make it more difficult to focus on a particular task . Specifically , they found that the visual cortex can be overwhelmed by task-irrelevant objects , making it harder to allocate attention and complete tasks efficiently .
A survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that people who make their beds every morning are 19 percent more likely to report regularly getting a good night ’ s sleep . People who were surveyed also reported benefits from having clean sheets — specifically , 75 percent of people said they get a better night ’ s rest when their sheets are freshly cleaned because they feel more comfortable .
Maintaining an organised schedule and a list of short-term goals can help you stay in shape . A study in the Journal of Obesity found that people who carefully plan their exercise regimen , set goals and regularly record their progress are more likely to keep up an exercise program than people who show up at the gym without a clear plan in mind .
What makes staying organised so difficult ? If staying organised is so good for you , why doesn ’ t everyone do it ? 1 . You have too much clutter .
The problem : As we go through life , we pick up little ( or big ) objects that we don ’ t necessarily need . For instance , you might own a bag of fertilizer from back when you thought you ’ d start a garden . You might have a collection of old birthday cards or a waffle iron on your kitchen counter that you never use . These objects take up space that could be better used by other , more necessary items .
The solution : Getting rid of clutter can be difficult , especially since we often attach emotional feelings to old objects . Try your best to donate or throw away your clutter . If you ’ re afraid to let certain things go , try taking photographs of them so that you ’ ll always have a physical reminder . You might also find new places to store these objects as your house becomes more organised .
2 . You don ’ t have enough time .