60 Of The Most Satisfying Before And After Cleaning Photos On The Internet Today (New Pics)

Many people believe they can live just fine in a cluttered environment. Some may even endure the presence of grime in their homes. What they fail to realize is that the dirt and mess may actually be affecting their mental health. 

According to Dr. Erika Penney, clinical psychology lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney, a disorganized space, for one, leaves us in a cognitive overload.

“When we’re surrounded by distractions, our brains essentially become battlegrounds for attention. Everything competes for our focus,” Dr. Penney wrote, adding that our brains prefer single tasks over multitasking. 

Dr. Penney also noted that a sense of order reduces the competition for our attention, which ultimately reduces our mental load. This applies even to those who claim to be better at ignoring distractions because, as she points out, distractible environments automatically overload our cognitive capabilities.

Not everyone has the time of day to tidy up their space. However, the lack of progress has a compounding effect that one may only notice once the clutter piles up to an unbearable amount. 

For this, Dr. Penney advises what she refers to as micro-tidying. The goal is to dedicate just five minutes to clear a small space.

A shift in perspective can also make cleaning feel less tedious. According to author Azumi Uchitani, who shares Japanese ancient wisdom through her writings, people focus too much on the result. 

As she tells Good Housekeeping, it may be helpful to approach the task in a similar way to Zen Buddhism, where cleaning is also about showing respect and appreciation for the environment.

One tip Uchitani shared is to maintain harmony between the body and mind. It includes using tools that make the task easier and more enjoyable. 

"Treat cleaning as a combined practice of meditation and fitness. As a bonus, your space becomes clean," she said.