With the pandemic causing such a tumultuous year, mental health has suffered as a result. Packaging retailer RAJA discovered thatย 35% of Brits found decluttering their home to be a therapeutic experience.
Tips to declutter your digital devices
With more time on our hands, our screen times will inevitably go up as we attempt to keep entertained. A recent study from Ofcom found that adults in the UK spend an average 45 hours of screen time each week! With all this time spent online, itโs important to curate the ideal space on your devices to reduce stress and improve your experience.
- Delete unused apps and files
Purge your tech of apps that you no longer use. This will help keep your home screen clutter-free, allowing you to access the apps you love faster and find files quicker. Resist the โjust in caseโ mentality and delete the ones you know you wonโt use.
- Create folders
Once youโve deleted all unnecessary apps and files, create folders for different files to keep your home screen clean and organised. These folders could be clients, finance, contracts, important files or marketing. The options can be tailored to work for you.
- Turn off push notifications
Push notifications can be a massive distraction when trying to complete a task. Whether it be a text or email notification, or an alert, they constantly draw you in to spend more time doing something that is a distraction more than a priority. Ditch the notifications and see if your productivity levels go up.
The benefits of a digital declutter: In any space where you spend a large amount of time, a regular clean can help keep you happy and organised. Your tech is no exception. Here are some of the benefits of decluttering your devices:
Improves your mindset: Being more mindful of what content you consume on your tech can reduce stress and improve your mentality.
Makes your laptop/phone run faster: Having a clear out of old apps, unwanted photos, files and tabs can help speed up your device. The less data you have stored on your device, the faster it will work. This will help improve the experience when using your tech, reducing frustration.
Helps you to be more efficient: Minimising digital clutter can help you feel more productive when trying to complete important tasks. Having an organised filing system can help streamline your work, ensuring you donโt get distracted by other projects. And, not having to rummage through endless tabs or sort through mountains of files can help you concentrate and complete jobs on time, reducing daily pressure.
Tips to declutter your home office
A cluttered home office can wreak havoc on your mind, and having to navigate piles of clutter can overstimulate your brain. Donate, recycle or sell items that you donโt need any more to make more room at home. Here are some tips on how to declutter your working space:
- Use three piles
One way to make it easier to part with junk around your home office is to divide your stuff into three piles: things youโll keep, things youโll throw away or recycle, and things to donate to charity or โfreecycleโ. This methodical approach allows you to see exactly where your items are going and make the whole process less stressful.
- Be brutal
Take the time to ask yourself when was the last time you used a specific item. If you havenโt used it in a while, it may be time to let go of it. A good rule of thumb is; if you havenโt used the item in the last six weeks โ and you donโt envision using it in the next six weeks โ then you may not need it in your life. You can donate it and give it a new life with someone else.
- Make it a lifestyle change
Starting can be the hardest part when trying to declutter, so incorporating decluttering into just five minutes of your day can help you establish good habits without losing a full day to it.
The benefits of cleaning your home
Organising your desk is about more than just making it aesthetically pleasing. A tidy working space can reduce stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling more energised and positive with increased productivity levels. Here are a few benefits of a tidy home office:
Itโs easier to maintain: One of the major benefits of cleaning your home office is that it makes it easier to maintain. When your desk is clean, youโll be more likely to keep it that way. Once youโve done all the hard work of getting rid of stuff you donโt use, keep the momentum going by decluttering as you go. Little and often helps prevent mess (and stress) from building up.
Makes you more productive: Clutter can impact anxiety levels and the ability to focus, making you less efficient in the long run. It can even trigger coping and avoidance strategies. Keeping a tidy space can help make you more productive, boost creativity and keep stress levels under control. Keep you work spaces clear and tidy of dirty plates, excess notes and keep-sakes to maximise your productivity.
Improves concentration: A tidy, uncluttered desk can help you get better concentration levels. Trying to work in a messy room can impact your capability of focusing and produce quality work. A tidy desk can help ensure you can easily concentrate on your working tasks so you are ready to have a successful day.
A cluttered lifestyle can impact you more than you think. By taking the time to incorporate decluttering techniques into your daily life, you can help reduce and release any mental pressure thatโs been created over lockdown. It will also set you up to be in a good position as restrictions ease by helping you feel more productive and healthier.
