According to researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute (The Journal of Neuroscience, 2011) which analyzed the effects of uncluttered and organized living found when an environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts ones ability to focus. Clutter limits a brain’s ability to process information, distracts, and makes processing information much more difficult than when in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment. Researchers at UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families (CELF), ascertain that clutter has a profound effect on our self-esteem and our moods. A study of 32 families found a link between high cortisol (stress hormone) levels of women who had a high density of household objects. Additionally, the risk of falling in the home increases significantly as people age. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults aged 65 and older. While many factors contribute to fall risk, one often overlooked area is clutter and excess belongings in the home. De cluttering and simplifying your living space can go a long way in creating a safer environment and reducing the chance of taking a dangerous tumble. The de-cluttering class, Clearing out the Clutter and Reducing Stress, taught by the Kenton County Cooperative Extension agent had a significant impact on its 34 attendees. The program defined how clutter happens, identified the financial cost of clutter, provided strategies to take control of clutter throughout each living space, identified stress reduction techniques while de-cluttering and gave the participants options on places to dispose of unwanted belongings.  As a direct result of attending the program:

• 32 participants reported learning two or more de-cluttering strategies they intend to implement in their own homes
• 22 individuals stated they would use the knowledge gained to assist a friend or family member in de-cluttering their living space, specifically to help prevent future falls in the home.
• 27 people learned that clutter can contribute to feelings of stress  confusion, and depression
• One participant shared that the information helped them recognize the stress caused by holding on to excessive items and expressed confidence that they now have the tools to begin sorting through their belongings.