🏁 Axios Finish Line: Clean room, clear mind

4 tips and tricks | Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Open in app View in browser     Axios Finish Line By Mike Allen, Erica Pandey and Jim VandeHei ·Jan 17, 2023 Jan 17, 2023 Welcome back! Smart Brevity™ count: 387 words ... 1½ mins.     1 big thing: How clutter pollutes your mind Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Clutter in our homes, offices and cars is something many of us are drowning in — but clearing it out can seem like a gargantuan task. Why it matters: A messy environment infects the mind. It can make us anxious and hurt our ability to relax, focus or sleep. "It just makes life harder," says Susan Whitbourne, a psychologist at UMass Amherst. "Things take longer to do, you lose things, you break things, you're slowed down." Then there's the emotional distress. "You're constantly faced with reminders of your messiness, which doesn't conform to your identity as someone who has their act together." Case in point: A recent study — reported in the journal Environment and Behavior tested — tested the effect of mess on behavior by placing subjects in normal versus chaotic kitchens. Those in the messy kitchens tended to overindulge in less healthy snacks like cookies more than their counterparts. The solution is seemingly simple: Clear out the clutter and clean up the mess. But the very anxiety the mess is causing can make it difficult to face it and clean up, Whitbourne says. Here are a few tips, culled from experts, on how to get started if you're staring down a stress-inducing mess: Don't set an unreasonable goal. If an entire room has gotten cluttered, you might tell yourself you want to clean it in one go. But you likely won't be able to — and that'll stress you out even more, Whitbourne says. Instead, make small changes in small doses. Start with one side of a closet or one cabinet in the kitchen. You'll accomplish your goal, and that'll be fuel to keep going. Ask for help. When our spaces get messy, we often want to keep people out. But if you've got a friend or family member willing to help without judgement, let 'em. Reward yourself! Whitbourne suggests putting on your favorite album or podcast while you clean and organize. Share this story.     A message from Axios Smart, brief writing will transform your essential comms     Join us Jan. 19 to learn the methodology behind Axios' Smart Brevity® style — and the techniques that can elevate your own essential communications. You'll see: The research behind Smart Brevity. How to use it in smart, essential communications. Axios HQ, the software that brings it to life. Sign up     📸 Stunning coastline Photo: Erica Pandey/Axios Erica here! I spent the long weekend in Los Angeles' South Bay, admiring the striking Palos Verdes cliffs and rocky beaches, pictured above. Please send your best nature photos to finishline@axios.com. We'd love to see your snapshots of winter '23 — we'll feature some of the stunners in future editions!   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: