In my functional medicine and health coaching practice, I talk a lot about hormones, stress, and how your lifestyle shapes your well-being, but there’s one sneaky disruptor that often flies under the radar: clutter.
Whether it’s the overflowing closet, the hundreds of unread emails, or the mental to-do list that never seems to end, clutter—both physical and mental—can have a profound impact on your stress response and hormone health.
When you think about your hormones, you may not think about your environment, right?
If you are on a journey to improve your health and hormones (remember, changing habits is a marathon, not a sprint) then this is one thing to consider, that can help you move forward.
Personally, I have been on a simplification and decluttering journey for a while now. In my home, my closet, my office, my mind and my habits, and while it’s been rewarding, it’s not always easy!
Here are some things I have learned:
The Hidden Hormone Disruptor: Clutter & Cortisol
Clutter isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a stress trigger. When your surroundings feel chaotic, your brain perceives it as a constant source of unfinished business, keeping you in a low-grade state of fight-or-flight. Research has shown that women are more sensitive to clutter-induced stress, which can lead to an increase in cortisol, your body’s primary “stress hormone”.
When cortisol levels stay high for too long, it throws your entire hormonal system off balance. Elevated cortisol disrupts the delicate dance between estrogen, progesterone, and insulin, leading to common hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance, low progesterone, and blood sugar swings—all of which can sap energy, increase cravings, and make weight management more difficult.
When cortisol levels become depleted, it’s like you are running out of gas. You can feel tired, not sleep well, gain weight or belly fat, have low mood, lack of motivation, and even have hot flashes.
The Decluttering Effect: How to Reduce Cortisol and Restore Balance
The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire home or go on a digital detox overnight. Small, intentional shifts can make a big impact on your stress response and, in turn, your hormones.
- Tackle One Space at a Time: Start with a single area—a cluttered kitchen counter, your nightstand, or your inbox. Clearing even a small amount of space can create an immediate sense of relief.
- Do you Work from Home? A home workspace can be a magnet for clutter, so start by de-cluttering first, and then organizing. This goes for digital work clutter as well.
- Create a “Low-Stimulation” Zone: Having at least one clutter-free space in your home (like a clean bedroom or a calming workspace) can signal safety to your nervous system and lower cortisol.
- Set Digital Boundaries: Unsubscribe from emails you never read, limit social media scrolling, and turn off non-essential notifications.
- Practice Mental Decluttering: Journaling, breathwork, and even a simple brain dump before bed can help clear out mental clutter and calm your nervous system.
Your Environment, Your Hormones, Your Power
Your surroundings shape your stress response, and your stress response shapes your hormones. By reducing clutter—both physical and mental—you can create a more peaceful environment that supports hormonal balance, energy, and overall well-being. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a look around. A little decluttering might just be the missing piece to feeling more at ease in your body!
How Hormone Testing Can Help
So what happens when you do “all the things” and you are still feeling tired, sleeping poorly, stuck with your weight, feeling stressed out, maybe have no motivation to eat well or exercise? It may be time to stop guessing, and get your hormones tested. This is my specialty, to help you STOP THE HORMONE GUESSING GAME, and find out what’s going on with YOUR hormones, and provide customized solutions for you!
Ready to Take Control of Your Hormones and Health?
Schedule your free Healthy Hormone Call with me today and take the first step toward feeling at home in your body.
Your best health is just a call away!
And here’s a Free Gift for you, my “Stress-Free Blueprint: 5 Steps to Lasting Bliss!” Click HERE to download your free guide