“A cluttered desk is a sign of genius.”

This quote, often positioned on top of a picture of Albert Einstein sitting at what can only be described as the world’s most cluttered desk, is problematic for several reasons. In this article we will explore why getting, and staying, organized, rather than being disorganized and cluttered, is a better path to helping improve health and productivity.

The benefits of organization

There are many clear and documented benefits to keeping your life, your work and your belongings organized. When you and your world maintain a semblance of order and organization, you can look forward to enjoying some, or all, of these health benefits:

1. Reduced stress

By keeping your world decluttered, you may actually lower the levels of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is your body’s stress hormone and elevated levels of it over prolonged periods of time can lead to negative health outcomes including headaches, high blood pressure, fatigue, and irritability.

2. Better sleep

When your to-do list is swirling around in your head it can be hard to get to sleep. Keeping your tasks organized and scheduled in a digital calendar, or even on a piece of paper, can give you a sense of control over your world and help you stay focused. When you’re not distracted by trying to remember everything you need accomplish you may find it easier to relax and get good quality sleep.

3. Increased productivity

Just imagine how much more you could accomplish if you weren’t constantly looking for missing items, sifting through piles of paper, or endlessly scrolling through random emails looking for what you need to get your work done.

How to get, and stay, organized

It’s surprisingly simple! These are a few easy-to-do things you can start right now that will help you feel more organized and be more productive in all areas of your life.

1. Write it down

You may think your memory is superhuman, but chances are, you can’t remember everything. And, when you spend your energy just trying to remember what has to get done, you have less energy to actually get it done!

2. Schedule it in

Schedule everything that you need to get done in the day, at home and at work and that includes meals and downtime away from your computer. Remember to schedule time for a 15-minute walk or quick meditation. But stay flexible…life happens and sticking rigidly to your schedule can bring on more stress than it relieves.

3. Avoid unnecessary purchases

It’s hard to avoid a good sale or a good sales pitch! Avoid buying anything on impulse and make sure that when you do make a purchase, you have a specific place to keep your new item. If you don’t, you may want to follow the rule of “one in, one out” where you donate or recycle one existing item for every new item you bring into your life.

There’s something calming and empowering about a decluttered life. By trying these helpful tips, you can start to enjoy all the benefits that come with being well organized at home and at work.