Sunday, October 19, 2014


 

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/


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