Getting rid of that pile of mail, the pile of shoes by the door, and the overflow in your closet can improve your sense of well-being. Studies have linked cluttered environments to stress and lower self-control (e.g. around food), which can harm your physical health.
Try taking a photo of a messy area in your home, then spend 20 minutes cleaning it up. When the timer goes off, take a break for at least 10 minutes (or the rest of the day if you want!). Replacing open-ended cleaning sessions with a timed window makes the chore less overwhelming, says Rachel Hoffman, author of Cleaning sucks. And comparing “before” and “after” photos will give you a feeling of accomplishment.
