A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women who described their homes as cluttered and unfinished had higher cortisol levels and were more likely to feel fatigued and depressed.
The research linked household disorder to increased stress, confusion, and tension, noting that disorganized spaces can impair concentration and elevate anxiety.
Psychologist Ana Belén Medialdea categorized home organization habits into three personality types: daily organizers who value control and tranquility but may become obsessive, occasional organizers who are flexible but stressed by accumulating mess, and those who never organize and experience mental chaos.
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Medialdea, who is also CEO of the Centro de Terapia Breve, explained that even as order supports well-being, excessive rigidity in cleaning can become limiting, and lack of structure often reflects broader life disorganization.
The study’s findings suggest that environmental clutter may serve as an external indicator of internal psychological states, particularly in relation to stress hormone regulation.
How does home clutter relate to cortisol levels?
According to the study, women who perceived their homes as disordered and unfinished showed higher cortisol levels, which is a biological marker of stress.
What personality types did the psychologist identify based on cleaning habits?
Ana Belén Medialdea identified three types: those who clean daily and value control, those who clean occasionally and are pragmatic, and those who never clean and feel overwhelmed by mental chaos.