According to productivity experts, we waste six weeks a year looking for stuff in our offices and homes. We sleep less, are inundated by clutter, and are overwhelmed by the pressures of relatively effortless tasks. These challenges, along with associated adverse health impacts, are big reasons why we have chronic stress in our lives.

If this isn’t enough to convince you it’s time for a change, productivity and organizing expert Jane Stoller, also known as “Organized Jane,” offers sound advice on reducing stress by reducing clutter.

“Clutter affects us most obviously by distracting us with too much stuff,” says Jane. “However, today, we are affected mainly by digital clutter. With so many connections, tabs, and social tools, we become digitally cluttered, leading to anxiety, stress, and the inability to focus, which seems to be the central theme.”

Undisturbed areas of clutter can also produce additional adverse health effects. For example, dust can lead to respiratory issues, not to mention a suppressed immune system. If there are moisture or flood problems in a basement or shed, that moisture is trapped in boxes of paper, books, and clothes, providing an excellent breeding ground for pests and mold. Clutter and the related effect of the stress that it causes can get in the way of us taking care of family and friends, too. We may become sick and cannot be there to help or care for others. We may lose sight of a bill or become habitually late to commitments because we lose track of things and time.

Though it may be time to make changes, it can be challenging, especially if ingrained habits prevail.  

“Clutter is constantly accumulating,” says Jane. Track how many times the Amazon driver comes to your house in a week. Are you accumulating more than you’re donating or needing? Just a simple buying check could help curb some habits.”

Jane and her team start the decluttering and organizing process by listening to their clients. Learning what motivates someone to buy and keep things is critical to moving forward. They explore their lifestyle and their most significant sources of stress.

From there, they devise a plan to clear the clutter, reduce the related anxiety, and learn to emotionally detach.

“When it comes to personal belongings, we often have an emotional connection, and that’s okay,” she says. “But if we are emotionally attached to everything we own, it becomes a problem. If something is important and holds emotional value, I suggest making it visible so you can see it daily. From there, we can determine what to keep. Is it valuable enough to display on the walls or take up real estate in your home? If not, it likely needs to go.”

When tackling a decluttering project, she recommends starting small

“Spend five minutes a day decluttering. Put things away, place items into donation or sell bins, and arrange for pick-ups. Doing this daily until it becomes a habit can make a huge difference. Set a daily recurring timer if you need to.”

If you struggle to accomplish your goals or get started reducing stress-related clutter, working with a coach and expert is often the impetus needed to make positive change.  “We hire coaches for business, fitness, and diet—why not hire an organizing coach?” Jane asks. “This will definitely help keep you on track. Getting a friend to help with closet clean-ups can also be helpful, but friends are often not the professional accountability partners we need to stay consistent.”

Make a mental shift by focusing on how your clutter might be someone else’s treasure.

Donating your surplus clothes, electronics, and anything to a charitable organization is a win-win. “Actually, going to the charity and seeing the volunteers’ reactions—so grateful for these items—can make a difference,” says Jane. “Highlighting that your items will be put to good use also makes an impact. Pre-arranged charity pickups can help get the items out of your home quickly.

Jane is the author of Decluttering for Dummies, which is written for everyone ready to reduce stress by reducing clutter.“It’s the most comprehensive reference guide to get started,” says Jane. Otherwise, look for books that target specific areas, like closet organizing, kitchen pantries, or garages. There are resources available for all of these.

No matter what you decide to do with your clutter or when you decide to start, keep in mind it’s all about helping you and others reduce stress. Don’t be overwhelmed; experts like Jane are poised to help. And in her words, the best way to get results is to “start small.”

Visit Jane’s website to learn more about her keynote speaking, productivity and organizing expertise, and book Decluttering for Dummies.