How cleaning/decluttering can help regain control, improve your mood and focus, and reduce stress.
By Dr Marlene Freemantle (PhD, Psychology, UJ) - Counselling Psychologist  marlenefreemantle.com

28 February 2022. Feeling overwhelmed and out of control are common features in our current daily living. The Covid 19 Pandemic contributes negatively to these feelings. Life seems to simply be asking more of us than we can deliver which leads to stress. Psychologically speaking, compounded and prolonged stress results in heightened anxiety, mood interferences (depression), snappiness in relationship, confusion, a lack of concentration and anger.

Reestablishing a maintainable, easier way to take our control back is helpful in optimising time-management and personal well-being. It is beneficial in restoring calmness which frees up psychical and psychological energy, enabling us to be more effectively as well as having time for quality self-care. Self-care means perusing activities that are restorative and adds to our joy, sense of purpose and meaning to life, aiding our psychological well-being.

A well-organised life rhythm yields advantages like gaining control, mood improvement and focus. Cleaning/decluttering and a solid organisation at home and the workplace are recommended treatment practices in minimising overwhelming feelings. Treatment suggests enlisting in outside help to quickly restore order. Such help will also maintain our “clean” life rhythm. Our stress levels will drop, and we will not be prone to the flight-fight-freeze mode. This signals huge neuropsychological advantages. Psychotherapy will assist us with other techniques to counter the chaotic feelings.

(Research material is available on request).