If you’ve ever felt your stress levels rise when you step into a cluttered room, you’ll know that the state of the space around us can impact our mental health.

“A cluttered space often induces feelings of overwhelm, stress and anxiety,” explains Dr Grace Hula, a GP and founder of G&M Healthcare. “The constant visual stimuli from a chaotic environment can contribute to a sense of being mentally burdened, making it challenging to focus and concentrate.”

She continues: “Studies have suggested a correlation between a cluttered environment and increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Chronic exposure to stress can have long-term consequences on mental wellbeing, potentially contributing to anxiety disorders and conditions like depression.”

The surprising impact a cluttered space can have on your health – both mental and physical