Don't you feel accomplished after you’ve had a productive day? Checking things off your To-do List may feel a little nerdy, but isn't it satisfying? Do you take pride in your alphabetized bookshelf or color coordinated closet? Well, you're not alone and you may actually be sleeping better because of your organization skills.
Can Being Organized Help you get Better Rest?
Yes! If you’re a naturally organized person, you’re probably sleeping better than the rest of us, especially if your neat and tidy mentality extends to your bedroom. Researchers at Princeton’s Neuroscience Institute found that clutter amounts to a lot of unnecessary visual stimuli for your mind to sort through. This increases stress, which increases the amount of time it takes to turn your brain off for the night. Many of us are familiar with that feeling. You know, where you turn off the lights but can't turn off your brain.
Think about your space like your computer’s desktop or the apps on your iPhone. The more icons there are, the more time it takes to find the specific one you want. The same principle applies in the bedroom. Over time, the small amount of work your brain does with too much stimuli in the room eventually adds up and translates to stress and less sleep.
Declutter for Better Rest
You don’t have to take it as far as color-coordinating your closet to get better rest. If you're only going to do one thing, we suggest decluttering. Closet doors can be closed, drawers can be (forced) shut, but your flat, open surfaces are always within eyesight.
Clear off all the flat surfaces in your room. It’s tempting to let things pile up on your desk, the top of your dresser and on your floor, but organizing the chaos on those surfaces can drastically decrease the visual clutter your brain has to sort through in your room. Take an hour (or two) and find homes for the various piles around your room. Hint: some of those things may belong in the trash. Marie-Kondo your space. The result? Less stress and anxiety.
Want another easy way to de-clutter your space? Here's what we have to say about technology in the bedroom. Spoiler alert: banning electronics from your bedroom will not only help you sleep better, but taking them out of the bedroom means you can remove and re-home those piles of chords, remotes and electronic-related clutter.
Fun fact: decluttering is actually one of the main principles of hygge, a Danish phenomenon that describes a feeling of cozy intimacy and contentment.
If you're on a roll after you're done decluttering, refresh your bedroom sanctuary with a mini makeover. You don't have to break the bank to create a fresh, clean space that you enjoy spending time in. After all, you do more than sleep in your bedroom, so it should be an oasis that helps you relax and unwind.
If you’ve noticed that that you're not getting your best rest lately, take a look around your bedroom and see what you can do to de-clutter your space. It just might make the difference you’ve been looking for.