A dirty, cluttered, or unhygienic environment can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
How Facility Cleanliness and Hygiene Impact Occupant Mental and Behavioral Health
Facility cleanliness and hygiene are essential for both physical and mental health.
A clean and hygienic environment can help reduce the spread of germs and diseases, improving physical health.
It can also promote feelings of calmness, relaxation, and well-being, which can improve mental health.
A growing body of research suggests that a dirty, cluttered, or unhygienic environment can harm mental and behavioral health.
Mold toxicity can manifest in different ways in people.
It’s more commonly linked to physical problems, such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and headaches, but research shows that it can present itself in a psychiatric way, too.
This includes brain fog, depression, anxiety, problems concentrating, and insomnia. Some people present just physical or psychiatric symptoms, while others can get a mix of the two.
This means that people are seeking and receiving treatment for a mental illness that only exists because of their exposure to mold. [1]
Further studies found that children who attended schools with high levels of lead in the air were more likely to have behavioral problems.
According to The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry;
Exposure to lead can have a wide range of effects on a child's development and behavior.
Even when exposed to small amounts of lead levels, children may appear inattentive, hyperactive, and irritable.
Children with greater lead levels may also have problems with learning and reading, delayed growth, and hearing loss.
At high levels, lead can cause permanent brain damage and even death. [2]
How a Dirty Environment Can Harm Mental Health
The built environment can have a significant impact on occupant mental health.
A dirty, cluttered, or unhygienic environment can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
For example:
Increased Stress Levels
Living in a messy and disorganized environment can contribute to higher stress levels.
Clutter and mess can create a sense of chaos and make it difficult to find things or accomplish tasks efficiently.
This constant state of disarray can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus.
It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows. [3]
Reduced Focus and Productivity
An unclean or cluttered environment can be distracting and hinder concentration and productivity.
It becomes increasingly challenging to focus on tasks when visual and physical distractions are around--commonly leading to decreased motivation, difficulty completing tasks, and a sense of frustration.
[...] when your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus.
The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information.
Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment. [4]
Negative Impact on Mood
A dirty or unhygienic environment can negatively affect mood and well-being.
Working in a dirty, smelly, or unsanitary space can evoke feelings of disgust, discomfort, and dissatisfaction.
Over time, this can contribute to a decline in mental health and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Impaired Sleep Quality
An untidy environment can disrupt sleep patterns and affect the quality of rest.
Excessive clutter can make it challenging to relax and create a calm atmosphere conducive to sleep.
[...] office clutter significantly impacted certain occupational outcomes that are pertinent to employees’ health and performance, such as stress and emotional exhaustion.
Previous studies have found that emotional exhaustion has been linked to physical health issues such as colds, headaches, sleep problems, depression, and gastrointestinal problems; it has also been linked to workplace outcomes such as job satisfaction, turnover intention, perceptions of workplace justice, organizational commitment, and even job performance. [5]
Increased Risk of Health Problems
A dirty or unhygienic environment can increase the risk of various health issues.
Mold, dust, and pests thrive in unclean environments and can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
Poor sanitation practices can spread bacteria and infectious diseases, further compromising physical health and, in turn, affecting mental well-being.
Decline in Self-Esteem
Living in a cluttered or dirty space can erode self-esteem and self-worth.
It may lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment when inviting others into the space, which can isolate individuals and hinder social interactions.
The constant reminder of an unkempt environment can also contribute to negative self-perception and a sense of failure.
According to a study published by the Journal of Environmental Psychology;
Findings reveal that place attachment and self-extension tendencies toward possessions positively contribute to psychological home.
Clutter had a negative impact on psychological home and subjective well-being.[6]
Decluttering Tips
Decluttering and organizing the workplace can be a transformative process that helps improve mental well-being.
Here are some specific steps to declutter and organize a workspace effectively:
- Set clear goals - Define what you want to achieve and establish specific goals for each area or room you plan to declutter. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.
- Start small - Begin with a manageable area or a single category of items, such as a drawer or a closet. Starting small allows you to experience immediate progress and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed.
- Sort and categorize - Create designated areas or bins for different categories of items, such as "keep," "donate/sell," and "discard." Sort through your belongings and make decisions based on their usefulness, sentimental value, or frequency of use.
- Declutter ruthlessly - Be honest with yourself and let go of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. Ask yourself if each item is essential or if it can be replaced or borrowed if needed in the future.
- Create a system - Establish a logical and practical organization system that works for you. Assign specific places for each category of items, ensuring they are easily accessible and appropriately labeled. Use storage solutions such as bins, shelves, and organizers to maximize space.
- Take it step by step - Break down larger projects into smaller tasks, focusing on one area at a time. This prevents you from getting overwhelmed and allows you to see progress as you complete each section.
- Maintain a regular cleaning routine - Commit to regular cleaning and tidying habits once you have decluttered and organized your space. Set aside a specific time each day or week to maintain the organization and prevent clutter from accumulating again.
- Donate or sell unwanted items - Consider donating items in good condition to charities or selling them online or at a garage sale. This not only helps you declutter but also allows others to benefit from items you no longer need.
- Seek support if needed - If you find it challenging to declutter on your own, consider enlisting the help of a friend or hiring a professional organizer. They can provide guidance, motivation, and support throughout the process.
References
- Could Mold Be Affecting Your Mental Health? (2020, March 26). Mental Health Connecticut. https://www.mhconn.org/mind-body-health/could-mold-be-affecting-your-mental-health/
- Lead Exposure In Children Affects Brain And Behavior. (2019). Aacap.org. https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/Lead-Exposure-In-Children-Affects-Brain-And-Behavior-045.aspx
- Sander, L. (2019, January 25). What does clutter do to your brain and body? NewsGP. https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-does-clutter-do-to-your-brain-and-body
- A clean, well-lighted place. (2016, February 1). Stanford BeWell. https://bewell.stanford.edu/a-clean-well-lighted-place/
- Dao, T. N., & Ferrari, J. R. (2020). The Negative Side of Office Clutter: Impact on Work-Related Well-Being and Job Satisfaction. North American Journal of Psychology, 22(3), 397-410. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Ferrari/publication/344388085_The_Negative_Side_of_Office_Clutter_Impact_on_Work-Related_Well-Being_and_Job_Satisfaction/links/5f6f3d8da6fdcc00863cb5ed/The-Negative-Side-of-Office-Clutter-Impact-on-Work-Related-Well-Being-and-Job-Satisfaction.pdf
- Roster, C. A., Ferrari, J. R., & Peter Jurkat, M. (2016). The dark side of home: Assessing possession “clutter” on subjective well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 46, 32–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2016.03.003
Takeaway
A clean and organized environment can have a positive impact on mental health.
By decluttering and organizing your space, you can create a calm and peaceful environment that can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost self-esteem.
Regular cleaning is critical for keeping clutter to a minimum and maintaining a clean and organized environment.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and disinfection services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
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