The Crucial Importance of Environmental Balance: How Your Space Impacts Health and Well-Being, Written by Former Interior Design Stylist Elle Jolie

About Coach Elle Jolie

Before becoming a private chef and personal trainer, I spent two decades as an interior design stylist. During those years, I had the privilege of stepping into a wide range of homes, and it became clear that more is not always better. I’ve witnessed the chaos that can stem from homes filled with clutter, distractions, and a lack of harmony. What I learned is that even million-dollar homes can lack true taste, while houses designed on very little can showcase far more creativity and style.

It’s not about how much you have but how you use it. When a home is thoughtfully arranged, free from unnecessary clutter, it can serve as a sanctuary, reducing stress and promoting mental health and well-being. At Elle Jolie Wellness, I now help clients not only find balance in their fitness and nutrition but encourage the same principals in their environment, which is crucial to living a life of health, joy, and vitality.

Our environment plays a pivotal role in our mental and physical well-being. A cluttered, chaotic home can generate feelings of anxiety, lower productivity, and negatively affect your children’s learning and health. Achieving environmental balance isn’t just about having a tidy space—it’s about creating an atmosphere that promotes peace, productivity, and well-being.

The Impact of Disorganized Spaces on Mental Health

Interior designers and lifestyle experts have long emphasized how our surroundings influence our mental state. According to famed designer Nate Berkus, “Your home should rise up to greet you. And at the end of the day, it should ground you.” Disorganized spaces filled with distractions, like clutter and dirt, can contribute to heightened anxiety levels, leaving you mentally drained rather than recharged.

A messy environment affects not just you but also your children. Studies have shown that cluttered, unclean homes can increase stress and hinder a child’s ability to concentrate. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, children raised in cluttered environments have difficulty focusing and are more prone to anxiety. Likewise, poor hygiene in the home can lead to the spread of germs, contributing to both physical and emotional stress.

Mindless Scrolling and Its Effects on Your Space

One of the most overlooked contributors to a disordered environment is the time spent on mindless scrolling. Social media and endless scrolling rob us of precious time that could be spent organizing and cleaning our space. The anxiety that builds from a disorganized home often goes hand-in-hand with distractions from our devices. Instead of doom-scrolling, redirect your energy into productive, home-based tasks that can radically improve your environment.

Action Plan for Environmental Balance

It’s time to take control of your space, starting with the heart of your home—the kitchen. Here's how you can bring balance into your environment and positively affect your health and overall well-being:

1. Create a Yearly Cleaning Calendar 📅
   Start small but plan big. Make a year-long cleaning schedule and divide it into manageable daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. By breaking it down into steps, you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Prioritize the Kitchen 🍽️
   The kitchen is the lifeblood of the home and should always be in top shape. Learn how to cook from scratch and take pride in cleaning every nook and cranny. Whether it’s using bleach, cloths, or high-end window cleaner, make it shine. Don’t neglect your oven hood—vacuum the filters and replace them regularly.

3. Declutter: If You Don’t Love It, Toss It 🗑️
   A general rule of thumb: If you haven’t used it in a year, let it go. The more unnecessary stuff you hold onto, the more time you’ll spend managing it, leaving you with less time for the activities that bring joy, exercise, and creativity into your life. Think Marie Kondo: “Does it spark joy?”

4. Clean One Room at a Time—Top to Bottom 🧹
   Cleaning can seem daunting, but when done systematically, it becomes manageable. Focus on one room at a time, clean it thoroughly from top to bottom. Dust shelves, wipe baseboards, and vacuum floors. A room that feels fresh creates a positive mental space for you to thrive in.

5. Learn How to Clean Properly 🧽
   If you’re unsure how to deep-clean, don’t hesitate to do some research. Whether it’s watching YouTube tutorials or reading expert cleaning blogs, educate yourself. I personally use bleach, Vim, a variety of cloths, and even a skewer (for those hard-to-reach places) to ensure everything is spotless. I recommend a vacumn that is easily managed, or one for every floor, if you don’t have vacu flo. Avoid brooms they are breeding grounds for bacteria.

Why Less is More

Remember, the more you own, the more you have to take care of. Excess stuff not only adds to your physical workload but also leaves less time for life’s joys—whether it’s adventure, exercise, or cooking a great meal. Reducing what you own clears both your space and your mind, leaving room for what truly matters.

Research on Environment and Intimacy:

Research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin shows that cluttered or disorganized spaces can lead to higher levels of stress, which in turn disrupts relationship satisfaction and intimacy. The Journal of Environmental Psychology also notes that physical chaos can negatively affect mood and focus, impacting emotional connection between partners.

"Discover how environmental balance impacts not only your health and well-being but also your relationships in this insightful blog by Coach Elle Jolie. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as an interior design stylist and wellness expert. Studies show that chaotic environments, like cluttered bedrooms, can disrupt intimacy and contribute to emotional disconnection. Learn how a clean, organized environment fosters intimacy, boosts productivity, and improves mental health.

Helpful Resources:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Offers advice on managing anxiety and mental health.

• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): Provides support for anxiety and stress disorders.

• Psychology Today: A resource for finding professional help in managing anxiety, stress, and home life balance.

By creating harmony in your environment, you take a massive step toward cultivating a life of joy, health, and peace. So start today—clean that kitchen, set up that calendar, and let go of what’s weighing you down.