Did you know that clutter and weight gain are more connected than most people realize? Research has shown that individuals who struggle with clutter are 77% more likely to be overweight or obese. Let’s dive into the fascinating relationship between clutter, stress, and unhealthy eating habits to uncover how decluttering your space might just help you declutter your health too.
How Clutter Impacts Your Health and Weight
Living in a cluttered environment can dramatically increase stress levels. And as many of us know, stress is a major contributor to weight gain. When you’re stressed, your body produces hormones like cortisol and proteins like betatrophin that interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize fat. For example, betatrophin, a protein produced during chronic stress, blocks an enzyme that breaks down body fat. This means your body holds on to fat—especially belly fat, which poses the greatest risk to your cardiovascular health. (BBA Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids February 2016: 1861(2); 130-137)
Clutter not only raises stress levels but also creates feelings of overwhelm that can lead to breaking unhealthy eating habits. When your home or workspace feels chaotic, it’s tempting to reach for comfort foods or indulge in overeating. The mess around you mirrors internal disarray, and often, food becomes a coping mechanism.
Emotional Clutter and Unwanted Weight
There are deeper psychological parallels between physical clutter and excess weight. As author Peter Walsh explains, clutter can symbolize emotional baggage.
- Memory clutter consists of items you hold onto because they remind you of someone, something, or a specific event.
- Fear-based clutter involves keeping things because you might need them one day—a reflection of anxiety about the future.
- Lazy clutter is the accumulation of items you’ve neglected to organize or discard.
Walsh points out, “If you have so much stuff it drags you into the past or pulls you into the future, you can’t live in the present.” The same applies to unhealthy eating habits. Eating mindlessly or out of emotional stress keeps us from addressing the root causes of why we’re turning to food for comfort.
Research Highlights the Impact of a Messy Environment
A study of 32 middle-class homes revealed that mothers who described their homes as “messy” or “cluttered” had higher evening levels of stress hormones. (Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century, July 2012) Another study found that women with disorderly homes were more likely to experience fatigue, depressed moods, and difficulty transitioning from work to home. (Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2010 Jan;36(1):71-81.)
This connection between clutter and emotional well-being underscores why breaking unhealthy eating habits requires addressing both physical and mental clutter. When your surroundings feel chaotic, relaxation, creativity, and productivity suffer—and so does your ability to make mindful choices about food.
My Personal Decluttering
Often at the beginning of a new year I take on my own decluttering mission to welcome abundance and start fresh in the New Year. When I’m done, my closet feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s clean, organized, and full of only what I truly need and love. I feel lighter—both physically and emotionally. And I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Why did I wait so long to do this?”
Tips to Declutter and Break Unhealthy Eating Habits
If you’re ready to tackle clutter and improve your overall well-being, here are a few tips to get started:
- Start small. Begin with one drawer, shelf, or corner of a room. Decluttering doesn’t have to happen overnight.
- Ask yourself: Does this item bring me joy or serve a purpose? If not, let it go.
- Donate unused items. Giving to charity can add a sense of fulfillment to your decluttering efforts.
- Create a system. Once you’ve decluttered, organize what remains in a way that’s easy to maintain.
- Declutter your eating habits. Plan meals in advance and avoid mindless snacking. Keep healthy options accessible and remove junk food from your home.
The Rewards of Letting Go
Decluttering isn’t just about creating a tidy home—it’s about making space for peace of mind, creativity, and healthier habits. As you let go of physical clutter, you might find it easier to let go of emotional clutter and the unhealthy eating habits tied to it.
Breaking unhealthy eating habits and decluttering go hand in hand. When you clear out the excess, you’re creating room for healthier choices and a more balanced life. If you’re ready to feel lighter, both physically and emotionally, now is the perfect time to start your decluttering journey.
Schedule a call with me today, and let’s work together to help you create the space you need for the life you deserve.
