5 Ways Decluttering Improves Your Health

Having too much stuff literally weighs on you. Many of us have at least one space we tend to avoid. Just walking by this cluttered mess can provoke a feeling of heaviness in the body and mind.

Too much stuff can suck the life out of your energy body and prevent you from feeling at ease in your own environment. Here are 5 ways that decluttering can contribute to a more balanced and healthy body, mind, and soul.

Tidy up for better health

1) Heal Your Root Chakra

One sign of an imbalanced and overactive root chakra is hoarding. Hoarding is when we accumulate and have difficulty letting go of stuff. This stems from a fear of scarcity. Our root is where the foundation of our energy body lies. It is also associated with security, safety, and our family tribal support. Any feeling of not having enough food, money, or anything necessary for life in our earliest years can affect the development of this chakra. Having parents that worry audibly about money or having enough of anything can affect this chakra.

“Stuff” makes people feel more secure, or so they may think. In truth, too much stuff can be draining physically, emotionally, and can prevent you from having the space to welcome abundance into your life. Letting go of anything you do not need or use can help heal your root chakra.

2) Release Guilt

How many of you are holding on to things that you may otherwise get rid of, if not for the guilt you might feel for doing so? I cannot count how many people I have known in my life that hold onto things out of guilt. Likely because a loved one died and left it to them, and they held onto it because they perceived it was important to their loved one.

Here’s the truth. When our loved ones pass on, they do not care the slightest about their stuff. If it means something to you and you have the space for it, keep it. Cherish it. If you are holding onto it because you feel too guilty to get rid of it, then I encourage you to donate it. Offer it up to someone who may cherish it. Guilt is not a healthy emotion to harbor. Stuff is stuff. We cannot take anything with us when we leave this Earth. It’s okay to let go.

3) Lose Weight

Did you know that when you let go of stuff you are holding onto, that you may lose excess body weight? Think about how it feels to walk by a room that is filled with clutter. Consider how even looking at it can weigh you down.

Energetically, it does. It can make you feel unmotivated and lethargic to have too much stuff. The space you are in can feel heavy and confined. Free up yourself and the space by decluttering and getting rid of what you don’t need. You will feel lighter, you will have more energy, and you will likely move your body more and without even trying, you will lose excess weight.

4) Free Up Space for What you love

Imagine what you could do with that cluttered room you clear out? The garage you could park in or the drawer you could finally find things in. The possibilities are endless! You could have a spare room for guests to be comfortable in. You could have a space to enjoy peaceful meditation, writing, reading, or some form of art you love.

Years ago, I transformed a shed that we stored junk in, into a small yoga studio. I recall how we used to just keep putting junk in this space for years. Stuff we never really used. I remember having flickers of an idea about transforming the space but couldn’t imagine I would ever have the time or money to do it. Then one day I just thought, I could wait until someday, or I could do it now. And I did.

And that was the space from which I birthed my soul that I’d lost so long ago. Having that space changed my life and I use it every chance I get.

5) Breathe Deeper and Relax

A clear space provides you with the ability to breathe deeper. I’m sure you have walked into a space that was filled with stuff and have walked into an open-air space with plenty of room. One naturally provides a more calm, peaceful energy and the ability to breathe deeper. We don’t have to leave our homes and find the expansive outdoors to take those big, beautiful breaths and find our peace. We can create these lovely rejuvenating spaces within our own environment simply by decluttering.

A messy, cluttered room also harbors more dust, mold, and allergens which hinder your ability to breathe clean air. If you have allergies and sensitivities to your environment, look around. It could be a simple get rid of stuff and clean your space type of fix so you can breathe better.

When I declutter, I set up a recycle bin, a garbage bin, and bags for donation. When you fill the bags, get them out of the house. Even if you can’t take them to donate right away, put the donation bags in your trunk so they are as good as gone.

When you consider what to get rid of, sense the feelings in your body when you look at or hold the item. Do you feel joy? Do you feel expansive and fullfilled when you consider the item? Or do you feel guilt, shame, or feelings of tightness in your body? Your body is your best gauge to decide what to hold onto.

Maybe what you end up donating, is exactly what will bring joy to someone else. A win-win.

If you aren’t sure where to start, or if the idea of letting go feels too uncomfortable even though you want to, a coach may help. Contact me if you would like to schedule a call to discuss your needs.