From overcrowded closets to overflowing desks, cluttered, unmanageable spaces can be destructive both mentally and physically. A study conducted by UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families explains that, as a society, we are a clutter culture. Material possessions have become the reward for hard work, which is why many families are now looking for practical storage solutions for moms this Mother’s Day.
The problem arises when our stuff starts to control our spaces and our lives. In fact, research from the UCLA study has shown that 75% of garages have turned into receptacles for household goods. It would be nice to have room for the cars.
A great solution for getting that clutter under control is a secure, budget-friendly self storage unit. Summerhill Storage is your go to for flexible self storage options that fit your needs. Flowers are beautiful, but they wither away. Self storage is a practical Mother’s Day gift that gives Mom the extra space she really wants.
The Self Storage Solution
Negative health concerns are the unfortunate side effect of a cluttered, chaotic home . Not surprisingly, a study in Psychology Today, shows that cortisol spikes are higher in women. Despite societal changes, women still feel more responsible for managing the clutter. These feelings can lead to stress and physical issues.
Getting rid of clutter can be overwhelming to certain individuals, but there is a strategy. With self storage, you can securely store items instead of simply relocating them to another area of the home.
The clutter is gone—not gone forever—but removed to a secure self-storage facility where it will no longer negatively affect Mom. Summerhill Storage has easy access. She can visit her belongings any time, but she doesn’t have to live with the chaos.
If you still need more convincing, here are some of the most common negative effects of living in a cluttered home.
The Ugly Truth About Clutter
Clutter Elevates Stress Levels
People who live in cluttered homes are subject to higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, than those who live in tidy environments. Higher cortisol levels can increase chronic stress, contribute to disease progression and weight gain, and even raise mortality risk.
Clutter Contributes to Overeating
Dr. Eva Shalhoub explains that, because clutter induces stress, people are more likely to resort to coping mechanisms such as emotional eating. An overwhelmed individual, eating to find comfort, will grab anything. If the kitchen is clean and not already overflowing with spoiled, unappetizing leftovers, you’ll have room for healthy snacks.
Clutter Worsens Allergies and Respiratory Issues
Messy homes are hard to keep clean. As items accumulate, more dust is generated, creating the ideal living environment for dust mites. Clutter can block circulation, trapping humidity against surfaces. This can cause mold and mildew, leading to the growth of bacteria and viruses. Anyone in the house, with or without allergies, can potentially experience eye, skin, nose, throat, and lung irritation. In these conditions, respiratory issues can become acute.
Clutter Interferes with Career Goals
A disorganized desk, filing system, or briefcase can inhibit the ability to focus and decrease productivity. This can impede career advancement or bring a quick ending to current employment.
Clutter Creates Debt
A cluttered environment makes it easy to misplace things, like a key fob or a child’s favorite toy. Constantly buying duplicates of lost items can lead to accumulated debt. Lost bills and bank statements result in late payments, additional fees, higher interest rates, and ultimately, collection calls.
Clutter Threatens Relationships
It can be hard to toss that high school letter jacket or a cherished, well-loved stuffy. That’s understandable, but an obsession with accumulation can destroy relationships. Household members who are bothered by clutter tend to be judgmental. They may resort to name-calling and negative comments, the end result being a shattered relationship.
Clutter Isolates the Entire Family
People who live in cluttered homes go to great lengths to keep guests away. They know how their home looks, but they aren’t mentally prepared to fix it. Even more concerning, children can also experience the negative effects of a cluttered home. They may be more prone to elevated levels of distress and have difficulty making friends because they feel embarrassed by the condition of their home.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait until the clutter is out of control and affecting your life and the lives of those around you. Summerhill Storage can provide you with a climate-controlled self storage unit to fit your needs and your budget. One of our friendly, professional team members would be happy to help you find the perfect self storage unit for Mom. Call us today. We’re here to help you give the best Mother’s Day gift this year!
