'Swedish Death Cleaning’ Is the Newest Decluttering Trend

Multiple studies link clutter with stress and decreased productivity. One study that analyzed how 60 women described their home environments found that those who considered their spaces more cluttered, unfinished, and less restful had consistently higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and worse moods over the course of a day compared with wo

Once you reach the end of middle age (or sooner if you feel like it, or later if you’re late to the exercise), you get rid of all the stuff you’ve accumulated that you don’t need anymore — so that no one else has to do it for you after you pass. That’s according to Margareta Magnusson, author of the new book, "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death C

Psychologically minimalism is based on the idea that happiness doesn’t come from stuff, but rather from relationships and experiences. So when you get rid of the excess stuff surrounding you, you can better identify on those things that are really important to you and what brings you pleasure in your life, Ferraro tells NBC News BETTER.

Studies have actually shown people who are more focused on materialistic pursuits — like getting rich and buying stuff — are at higher risk of becoming unhappy, anxious, having low self-esteem and even developing problems with intimacy.

“Visit [your] storage areas and start pulling out what’s there,” she writes in the book. “Who do you think will take care of all that when you are no longer here?”Plus, you’ll be able to better enjoy your life when you have less mess and clutter to deal with.“Life will become more pleasant and comfortable if we get rid of some of the abundance,” Ma

Another argument for embracing your inner Scandinavian Cinderella? You may find yourself less stressed and more focused once you’re living in a clean, organized space. Having fewer things to worry about really can make life seem more manageable, from the practical chores you do on a day-to-day basis to the big projects and problems you face, explai

It makes intuitive sense, Ferraro adds. All of the products available and opportunity to acquire stuff in today’s world can be overwhelming, she says. “The idea of de-cluttering and streamlining our lives resonates because it may feel like it pushes back against this crazy chaotic world we live in.”