Broken Windows Theory is a criminological concept which states that visible signs of chaos or a disordered environment foster the human mind to engage in criminal activities. However, at an individual level, it could be used to compare and contrast environment with productivity.

Ever felt lethargic and unmotivated in a tidy room with a tidy desk? In general, it does not leave space for demotivation. Cleanliness and sanitation often show the self-discipline of a person. Here, the untidy desk, unmade bed, and messy clothes are broken windows which encourage our mind to be lethargic.

A messy environment could add unnoticeable distractions to our mind, which could then raise stress hormones like cortisol. It has been found that people staying in a clean and tidy environment have high self-control and high self-esteem. One study also shows that living in an organized room bolsters our mind to eat healthy.

A messy bed, table, or room also signals the brain of unfinished tasks. This makes our brain put them in its subconscious section like unclosed tabs in the browser. This contributes to being overwhelmed and anxious. In contrast, finishing even a small task provides satisfaction, which releases happy hormones like dopamine/serotonin and propels us forward, which is also called the progress principle in motivation.

Studies show that people living in highly cluttered homes have high cortisol (stress hormone). It is also observed that depression and anxiety could be consequences of a messier environment. In contrast, it has been reported that people with uncluttered spaces tend to concentrate better than the ones with cluttered ones.

In conclusion, visual clutter could ruin one’s energy to do the work. Simple actions like making the bed, stacking the books in the corner, hanging clothes, etc., could optimize one’s mood. Conversely, being a perfectionist needy of tidiness could lead to undue anxiety. Remember that some research shows, a certain level of disorder helps artists or individuals spark creativity. In a nutshell, cleaning one’s room, organizing the desk, or making the bed could help him avoid broken windows.

References:

1. At the crossroads of Creativity & Clutter | by Jennifer R Baumer | Medium
2. Messy Rooms and Depression: What’s the Link?