The Amazing Benefits of Minimalism for Mental Well-Being

The concept of minimalism for mental health has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people embracing a simple, clutter-free lifestyle. While most associate minimalism with decluttering physical spaces, its benefits extend beyond having a clean and organized living space.

Minimalism, a lifestyle advocating simplicity and decluttering, offers remarkable benefits for mental health. By reducing physical possessions and distractions, we experience decreased stress, increased focus, and enhanced clarity of mind.

In other words, minimalism can have a profound impact on your mental health and overall well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of minimalism for mental health and why you should consider incorporating it into your life.

Understanding Minimalism

Lifestyle minimalism and its emphasis on “living with less” has gained significant traction in popular culture as a response to concerns about excessive consumption. Based on the concept of voluntary simplicity, it involves reducing and replacing non-essential products and services with experiences, connections, and personal development, aiming to increase life satisfaction and meaning.

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Examples of voluntary simplicity include:

• Decluttering
• Recycling
• Composting
• Self-sufficiency
• Eco-friendly transportation

While they are similar, minimalism is more about intentionally simplifying your life. That means discarding excess physical possessions and distractions, having a clean and organized space, decluttering your mind, and prioritizing what truly matters to you.

It’s easier to implement minimalism than voluntary simplicity. 

While lifestyle minimalism reduces consumption and benefits our mental health, it may overlook the most significant aspects of sustainable consumption. Specifically, it doesn’t address areas such as space and heating usage, transportation habits, and dietary choices, which have a more substantial environmental impact. 

That said, it’s a great place to start. By choosing to live with less and prioritize what truly matters, minimalism can help you feel more in control of your life. This sense of control can reduce stress and anxiety and increase feelings of empowerment. 

Minimalism can offer a much-needed break from the constant stimuli and pressures to consume more. 

In addition, decluttering our physical spaces can benefit our mental well-being. A clean and organized space can promote a sense of calm and improve overall mood. For example, coming home to a clutter-free living room can help you unwind and relax after a long day.

This can be especially beneficial for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.

Benefits of Minimalism for Mental Health

When we think about mental health, most of us focus on practices like therapy or self-care. Therefore, we often forget that a minimalist lifestyle can also benefit our mental well-being. 

Here are 4 amazing benefits of minimalism for mental health:

1. It Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Living in a cluttered and chaotic environment can increase stress and anxiety. 

One study examined how clutter affects mental well-being in different age groups. It found that older adults generally have less clutter and feel happier and more at home. Younger adults, on the other hand, tend to feel more affected by clutter, feeling less at home and less happy.

Some older adults also have more clutter at home but because they have lived in their homes for longer time, they have grown accustomed to it over the years, so they don’t notice it anymore.

However, getting used to clutter does not mean it doesn’t affect your mental health. We often don’t realize how detrimental it is to our well-being until we declutter our home or workspace. 

Whereas a calm and organized environment can reduce stress and promote inner peace, a cluttered space does the opposite. So, clutter undoubtedly decreases our well-being and quality of life.

There’s something freeing about letting go of unnecessary items and only keeping things that truly add value to our lives. Minimalism benefits our mental health and allows us to manage our thoughts and emotions more effectively, reducing anxiety. Also, it makes us feel better about our home.

Did you know that how you talk about your home may reveal how stressed you feel?

In a fascinating study, researchers analyzed how 60 couples described their homes. They found something surprising. 

When wives used words associated with stress, such as clutter, their stress hormone (cortisol) levels stayed more consistent throughout the day (a pattern often associated with chronic stress) than those who described their homes more favorably. So, it turns out that our home’s vibe might affect our well-being more than we realize!

Read more: How to Support Mental Well-Being by Removing Clutter»

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2. It Promotes Mindfulness

Let’s face it. Modern-day life is stressful. Most of us find ourselves constantly stressed by work, obligations, and never-ending tasks. As a result, we rarely have time to be fully present in the moment or enjoy life.  

This constant state of distraction can lead to feelings of detachment and disconnection from our surroundings, as well as increased stress and anxiety. However, by adopting a minimalist lifestyle, we take intentional steps to slow down and be more mindful of our actions.

For example, decluttering our physical space requires carefully considering each item’s purpose or value. This process forces us to be present and make intentional decisions rather than mindlessly accumulating more possessions.

It’s important to practice mindfulness when buying new things. Unfortunately, many people don’t do this. Instead, they engage in mindlessness – automatic behaviors or habits performed without much conscious thought, such as impulse buying.

To live a minimalist lifestyle, we should question if we need that new dress or expensive phone before purchasing it. 

Minimalism involves being more mindful and reflecting on choices before acting rather than relying solely on habits or unconscious behaviors. Minimalists understand the negative impact of overconsumption on the environment and engage in more environmentally and socially responsible behaviors.

Another benefit of minimalism is that it encourages us to be more present by reducing our reliance on technology and social media. Limiting our screen time and focusing on real-life interactions can improve our relationships and cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and others. 

This type of mindfulness can lead to increased self-awareness, empathy, and overall satisfaction with life. One study found that reducing recreational digital screen usage (unrelated to work or study) time can significantly improve well-being, mood, and stress. 

Read more: How to Overcome Stress and Anxiety with Ancient Practices»

3. It Saves Time and Money

A minimalist lifestyle can positively impact our time and finances and reduce stress and anxiety. That’s because simplifying our lives can save money otherwise spent on excess possessions and allow more time for activities and experiences that bring us joy and fulfillment.

We live in a society where overconsumption and wanting more is encouraged.

Gone are the days when we merely shopped for basic needs, such as clothing and food. Now, many shop for materialistic values, such as:

• Acquisition centrality: Prioritizing possessions as their primary life goal.
• Possession-defined success: Measuring personal and other’s success based on material possessions.
• Acquisition as the pursuit of happiness: Believing possessions leads to more happiness. 

However, it turns out that excessive emphasis on material possessions can actually decrease our well-being.

Furthermore, overspending or impulse buying can result in financial issues and put us in debt. One of the reasons why it’s so easy to buy more than we need today is that we often use electronic payments instead of cash. 

When you pay in cash, there’s more pain associated with the action because you have to count money and give it in person. Electronic payments are less painful because you don’t physically see the money you’re paying. That can easily lead to overspending and potential debts. 

I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything more stressful than having debts I can’t afford to pay.

This is where the concept of minimalism can benefit mental health. By prioritizing the things that truly bring value and joy into our lives, we are less likely to spend money on unnecessary items. That can lead to financial stability and reduce stress and worry.

Also, fewer possessions mean less clutter, which can help clear the mind. 

Read more: 10 Ways Clearing Your Space Can Clear the Mind»

4. It Encourages Gratitude

Many people today are affected by the Keeping up with the Joneses Effect. They feel pressured to match their spending with others. If they spend less than their peers do, they feel less respected, but spending more earns them respect.

As you can imagine, this leads to overspending. Some work harder to keep up, but their happiness doesn’t always increase with their income.  

This just proves that acquiring material possessions to show off or enhance social status doesn’t lead to happiness. You can’t even be grateful for your possessions because it doesn’t take long before you buy something newer, better, and more expensive to keep up with the “rat race” of overconsumption.

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Minimalism is a way to break free of the demands of consumer capitalism and improve mental health.   

Gratitude is a great way that helps us stop comparing ourselves to others who have more. Instead, it lets us appreciate what we already have. This shift in focus can protect us from feeling unhappy when we compare ourselves to others.

Being more grateful is linked to a happier life because it leads to:

• Feeling better about yourself
• Being more optimistic
• Feeling in control of your life
• Having better relationships
• Growing as a person
• Finding meaning in life
• Accepting yourself 

When people are more grateful and satisfied with their lives, they are more likely to donate, help, and volunteer more. They also have lower levels of anxiety and depression. 

By being more present and grateful for the present moment and what we have, we can find peace in the here and now. In other words, we can appreciate the little things in life and not constantly focus on what we don’t have. 

Read more: How to Build Self-Care Practices Into Your Daily Life»

Practical Steps for Embracing Minimalism

Embracing minimalism is a journey and it may look different for everyone. The key is to find what works best for you and make small changes that align with your values and goals. Remember, the goal is not to have as little as possible but rather to have only what adds value and brings joy to your life.

If you’re interested in incorporating minimalism into your life, here are a few practical steps to get started:

1. Assess Your Belongings

The first step is to make an inventory of all your possessions. Identify which items are essential and bring value to your life.

However, when we declutter our homes, we often discard a lot of stuff. While decluttering benefits our mental health, it can contribute to waste and environmental degradation. 

So, instead of simply throwing items away, consider alternatives like repairing broken items you cherish or asking friends, family members, and neighbors if they want them. Please note that most donations to thrift stores can’t be re-sold, which means they end up in landfills. 

So, be mindful of how you dispose of possessions to reduce your ecological footprint and minimize waste. Many people associate minimalism with getting rid of stuff. As a result, they forget that we should use or keep items that are still functional and in good condition for as long as possible. That is what we did in the old days. 

2. Keep Your Space Clutter-free and Organized

Most of us have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. While we never get used to clutter, we learn to tolerate it.

To illustrate, imagine that your neighbor’s car alarm goes off. At first, the noise is deeply annoying, but eventually, you begin to tolerate it. It’s not until the noise stops that you realize how much it bothered you.

The same goes for clutter; we don’t notice how it affects our mental health until we clear our space. This is why it’s essential to keep our space clutter-free and organized. It goes without saying that the less stuff we have, the easier it is to keep things tidy.

Minimalism benefits mental health. When we clear stuff from our physical space, it can help clear our minds and improve our mood. So, make it a habit to regularly go through your belongings to see what is no longer necessary.

As mentioned previously, be careful about just throwing things out. Consider donating, selling, or giving it to your friends, neighbors, or family. If your favorite blouse is missing a button, consider replacing it instead of discarding your blouse.

3. Shop Responsibly

Assessing your belongings and keeping your space clutter-free are good practices of minimalism. However, these practices become pointless if we continue to buy more stuff or indulge in impulse buying. 

According to a research article on the non-consumption practices of minimalists living in the UK, shopping mindfully and responsibly is essential to maintaining a minimalist lifestyle. This makes sense since minimalism aims to reject the capitalist consumer culture of accumulation and always wanting more. 

To illustrate, imagine you have four pairs of sneakers but suddenly want to buy another pair. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you genuinely need them. It’s incredibly tempting to acquire new things, especially when bombarded with advertisements urging us to buy more. 

These ads tap into our emotions, creating a sense of necessity by suggesting that purchasing a specific product will enhance our happiness or beauty. Sometimes, we might even believe a particular item could transform our lives.

I remember wanting a new suitcase a few years back. I had pictured this whole scenario of how I would look sophisticated and that others would admire me as I walked around with it at the airport. However, when I bought the suitcase and used it while traveling, I didn’t feel sophisticated, and no one paid me any attention. Because in the end, it’s just a suitcase. 

The point of my story is that we often overestimate what material things can do for us. We foolishly believe that they can improve who we are or our lives. But they are just stuff.

If we’re unhappy in life, no material objects will fix that. When we get older, we’ll remember that wonderful summer we spent with friends in Italy, but not the expensive dress we thought would change our lives. 

Learn more: Why Do We Hold Onto Material Things We Don’t Need?»

4. Prioritize Experiences

Most of us spend too much time and money on acquiring material possessions when we’d be happier prioritizing experiences that bring meaning and value instead. 

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Minimalism benefits mental health because it encourages activities and life experiences over shopping. Now don’t get me wrong. Shopping is a fun activity, but it has its limits. While we experience joy when we buy something we want, the feeling doesn’t last long. But if we’ve had a great night out with friends, that happy feeling usually lasts much longer. 

In other words, you won’t remember what you bought that day, but you’ll remember that night with your friends for a long time. 

Overconsumption is not limited to products but includes information as well. In today’s technology-driven world, it’s easy to get swept up by social media, constant notifications, and information overload. Unfortunately, it doesn’t benefit our mental health.  

So, take breaks from screens and limit your time on social media to reduce distractions and promote more meaningful connections with others. By prioritizing experiences instead, such as traveling, spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies and passions, and learning new things, we can reduce overconsumption and improve our well-being.

By simplifying our lives, we can create more space for the things that truly matter and cultivate a sense of contentment in our daily lives. So why not give minimalism a chance and see how it can positively impact your life?

Final Thoughts

As we move through life, our priorities and preferences change. And for some of us, that means embracing minimalism as a way of living. Having less clutter, both physically and mentally, can be very appealing.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to minimalism. It’s important to understand that everyone’s journey towards a minimalist lifestyle will look different. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. And that’s okay.

But what’s important is to focus on the benefits of minimalism and how it can positively impact our lives. By decluttering and simplifying our surroundings, we can create a space that promotes relaxation and a sense of calmness. This can benefit our mental health and improve our overall well-being.

Moreover, minimalism encourages us to be more intentional with our purchases. We learn to differentiate between what we truly need and what is simply a want. That helps us save money and reduces our carbon footprint on the environment.

But minimalism doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of all our possessions and living with the bare minimum. It’s more about finding a balance and keeping what truly brings us joy and adds value to our lives without being wasteful.

In conclusion, the concept of minimalism is prioritizing experiences over consumption. It’s understanding that material objects don’t bring long-term happiness or transform our lives for the better.

So whether you’re just starting your minimalism journey or have been practicing it for years, remember to make choices that align with your values and goals.

Malin

Malin, co-founder of Courier Mind, is passionate about personal growth and mindset. With a focus on self-discovery and goal-setting, she creates content that inspires confidence, balance, and growth for the mind and spirit.