Who Needs Meditation? The Incredible Impact of Home Organization on the Brain

In recent years, scientific studies have pointed to a strong connection between our living environment and our mental health. The research shows that a cluttered and disorganized environment causes stress, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating, while a clean and organized environment contributes to feelings of calm, satisfaction, and even creativity. This isn't surprising. The novelty lies in additional studies specifically regarding people who organize their homes. The question that engaged the researchers was: what is the impact on the brain of the act of organizing itself? What happens to a person who organizes their home, and how is their brain affected by the act of tidying and cleaning?

The Surprising Impact on Mental Health

What really happens in the mind of the organizer? A study conducted at the University of California, found that organizing and cleaning the home affects the brain similarly to meditation. Engaging in a sequence of orderly activities reduces stress and anxiety, boosts feelings of calm and tranquility, and even improves long-term concentration.

The study conducted in 2014, divided 64 participants into two groups. One group was asked to organize a room, while the second group was asked to read a book. The participants' brain activity was measured using fMRI before and after the activity.

The findings were nothing short of amazing: after organizing the room, a decrease in activity in brain areas related to stress and anxiety (the amygdala and hippocampus) was recorded. At the same time, there was an increase in activity in brain areas related to feelings of calm and tranquility (the frontal cortex and the prefrontal cortex). This led the researchers to a clear conclusion: organization can lead to a decrease in stress and anxiety and an increase in feelings of calm and tranquility. These effects are similar to those achieved in meditation.

Another interesting study conducted at the University of Texas in Austin in 2017 divided 100 participants into two groups. One group was asked to organize their home, while the second group was asked to continue their regular daily routine. Before and after the activity, participants' cortisol levels were measured using a saliva test. This study's results also surprised researchers: after organizing the home, cortisol levels dropped significantly. This drop in cortisol levels is related to feelings of calm and tranquility, similar to those achieved in meditation.

In case you're still not convinced, here's a fascinating study conducted at the University of Berkeley in 2018. In this study, 60 participants were divided into two groups. One group was asked to organize a room, while the second group was asked to play a computer game. During the activity, participants' brain waves were measured using EEG.

The study results showed improvement in several important metrics:

• Increase in Alpha Waves: Among the organizing group, a significant increase in alpha waves in the brain was recorded, compared to the control group. Alpha waves are associated with feelings of calm, concentration, and a sense of control.
• Decrease in Beta Waves: In the organizing group, a significant decrease in beta waves in the brain was recorded, compared to the control group. Beta waves are connected to feelings of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
• Cognitive Performance Improvement: The organizing group showed better performance in cognitive tests (memory, concentration, decision-making) compared to the control group.

Improvement in Emotional State: The organizing group reported higher feelings of calm, satisfaction, and contentment compared to the control group.

It is interesting to note that playing computer games did not lead to significant changes in brain activity or emotional state. In contrast, organizing and cleaning led to an increase in alpha waves, a decrease in beta waves, improved cognitive performance, and higher feelings of calm, satisfaction, and contentment.

Next time you're feeling stressed, anxious, or unable to concentrate, organizing and cleaning your home might be the perfect solution!