When our house is messy, cluttered, or dirty, it can really set his anxiety symptoms spinning. My husband says that when the house is neat and clean, it makes his mind feel more clear and relaxed.
Dr. Vigliotti explained that a home that feels out of order can make a person with anxiety feel uneasy and out of control, which can trigger symptoms. Sometimes the person may be anxious about something else, such as a work conflict, and coming home to an untidy space will make things a million times worse. When it comes to our house, this is what helps:
- Doing the dishes, keeping the kitchen counter clear, and cleaning up after cooking.
- We recently installed a mudroom area, so we each have our own lockers and a bench to store our shoes underneath. We teach the kids to put away their backpacks, coats, and shoes after school since it's the first area my husband sees when he walks through the front door.
- Try to keep clutter and mess to a minimum, and have all his things organized so he knows exactly where they are when he's looking for them, including his biking gear and laundry.
