Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading: 10-19-14 through 11-1-14
AND
Blog #28: The Detrimental Effects of Clutter
LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT
ACE OF COINS: This bi-weekly is a good time to take advantage of opportunities that will provide a new start in the physical world. This includes anything related to finances, job/career, home, health, or sense of stability and security. New beginnings are on the way, so keep your eyes open to all possibilities and then act to bring something new into your life.
8 OF SWORDS: You may go through periods of indecision, to the point of feeling paralyzed. You can get out of this mindset by "taking the bull by the horns" and getting a grip on what your options are. Once you approach the situation with a logical approach, you will be able to see the pros and cons, and then make a decision that is in your best interest.
5 OF COINS: If you encounter a time when you need help from others, do not be shy about asking. We all go through periods where we cannot do everything by ourselves, and asking for help balances out the energy. When we continually give without receiving, we deplete ourselves; when we ask for help, we nourish ourselves.
BI-WEEKLY THEME: New beginnings are coming, so be on the lookout for opportunities that can propel you forward. Then take actions to bring into your life more prosperity and abundance. If faced with uncertainty about what decision to make, take a rational approach by considering all aspects of the situation and then decide what is in your best interest. Ask for help if you need it, remembering that balancing our energy is important and will keep us on an even keel.
Blog #28: The Detrimental Effects
of Clutter
Retrieved from www.mobilehomeliving.org
For many of us, physical
clutter makes us uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. But it is not just
because it is aesthetically displeasing; it actually affects our brains.
Researchers at Yale have shown that when we give up
something that we are attached to, the anterior cingulate cortex of the brain
lights up. This is the same part of the brain that responds when we feel pain
from something as simple as a paper cut on our finger or drinking scalding
coffee. The more we are emotionally
attached to the item or the higher the financial investment, the more the
effect.
Another interesting fact that has emerged from the research
is that we can become more emotionally attached to an item simply by touching
it. In one study, participants who held
coffee mugs the longest were willing to pay 60% more for the mugs than were
participants who held the mugs for a shorter time.
One of the main findings about clutter is that it causes us to
lose focus and reduces our ability to process information. A Princeton University study “showed that
physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in
decreased (task) performance and increased stress.” And a team of
UCLA researchers concluded that what clutter does to the brain is similar
to what multitasking does—“overloads your senses, making you feel stressed, and
impairs your ability to think creatively.” (http://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035
So, when we have too much clutter
around, it hinders our ability to filter and process information, to go quickly
from one task to another, and to easily remember things.
However, we all have a different
tolerance for clutter. So what bothers you may not negatively affect someone
else. In fact, some people claim that
they feel inspired when they have a cluttered desk. It is all about perception.
In one study, functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to show the brain’s responses to organized
and disorganized stimuli. When subjects were performing a task, these were the
conclusions:
“If you want to focus to the best of your
ability and process information as effectively as possible, you need to clear
the clutter from your home and work environment. . . You will be less
irritable, more productive, distracted less often, and able to process
information better with an uncluttered and organized home and office.” (http://unclutterer.com/2011/03/29/scientists-find-physical-clutter-negatively-affects-your-ability-to-focus-process-information/
Getting rid of clothes that are no longer worn is another area that is especially difficult for some. Three questions to ask yourself that may help you let go of them are: (1) Does it fit? (2) Have you worn it in the last 12 months? (3) Is there some sentimental value that is strong enough for you to keep it? (http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/clear-clutter-out-your-life)
Some additional questions you can ask that may help you decide whether to throw something away are: (1) What is the worst possible thing that could happen if I threw this away and realized I needed at a later time? (2) Could I replace it? (3) Would it be obsolete or out-of-date by the time I might need it? (http://lifetimeprosperity.com/SimplicityArticle.html)
Another important point is that clutter does not have to be just the physical clutter of papers, items, or other things that get stacked up and not put away. It can also relate to anything that does not nurture us. This means that it can include not just the "busyness" we get involved in that may not always be in our best interest, but also the people around us who are not supportive.
A cluttered home can also cause distress. Some negative effects may be a tired feeling, a sense of hopelessness, or a feeling of being out of control.
(http://redlotusletter.com/clutters-effects-on-your-life-how-clutter-affects-you-and-what-to-do-about-it/)
Joyce Marter, a licensed clinical professional counselor, describes the effect of clutter on our mental state: “Our environment is a direct reflection of our internal mental health and vice versa. So, if our home is disorganized, our minds may feel scattered as well. . .Organization promotes serenity and wellness in your life.”
(http://bebrainfit.com/lifestyle/stress/unexpected-ways-clutter-messes-up-your-brain/) She also mentions that the Chinese system of feng shui helps with the smooth flow of energy in a building, which enhances positive feelings for the inhabitants.
Tackling clutter even one little bit at a time will help eliminate a feeling of being overwhelmed, so by just setting aside a small amount of time each day to put things away and clean out clutter may do wonders for your mental and physical health.
Sources
http://unclutterer.com/2011/03/29/scientists-find-physical-clutter-negatively-affects-your-ability-to-focus-process-information/
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/clear-clutter-out-your-life
http://bebrainfit.com/lifestyle/stress/unexpected-ways-clutter-messes-up-your-brain/
http://redlotusletter.com/clutters-effects-on-your-life-how-clutter-affects-you-and-what-to-do-about-it/
