Is It Healthy to Be a Minimalist? Analyzing 14 Life Areas
Have you ever caught yourself drowning in a sea of notifications, overwhelmed by that ever-filling closet, a packed schedule, and endless to-do lists?
You’ve met the modern world’s version of clutter, where digital and physical spaces teeter on the edge of “too much.”
Along comes minimalism, waving from those pristine Instagram feeds and calm digital detox stories.
But is this lifestyle just for folks who’ve mastered owning five items and zero apps?
And is it healthy to be a minimalist in the first place?
From tangible to virtual, in this article, I will dissect 14 minimalism categories if less truly equals more in the world of well-being and health.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Physical Spaces
Keeping just what you need means fewer socks lost in the laundry.
However, less clutter is associated with reduced stress (source).
Applying minimalist principles to physical spaces results in a cleaner, clutter-free environment that directly influences your mental well-being and physical health.
A decluttered space reduces stress triggers. This leads to a calmer state of mind and improved focus.
There’s less dust without excess items, resulting in better air quality and reduced allergens.
Minimalist spaces often incorporate more natural light, which boosts mood and circadian rhythms.
The simplicity of design encourages movement, deterring sedentary behavior often prompted by overcrowded areas.
In addition, a minimalist space promotes intentional living, ensuring every item and piece of furniture has a purpose, leading to increased appreciation and mindfulness of one’s surroundings.
How Does Minimalism in Digital Spaces Affect Health?
What about the digital spaces?
Well, a decluttered digital space means less screen time and less time spent searching for that file named “finalfinal_v2_1”, less social media FOMO caused by pics of fake people and fake lives on Flexagram Instagram, and possibly better mental well-being.
Since high social media use can hurt mental health, according to this study, we can assume that less will result in better mental well-being.
But remember, uninstalling that meme app might also mean missing out on some laughs with buddies.
So, the right balance is key.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Social Areas of Life
Let’s continue with the emotional & social realm.
Quality over quantity in relationships sounds like a dream.
And fewer friends but deeper bonds are likely mentally healthier (source).
Minimalism in the emotional and social realm promotes genuine, deep connections and prioritizes quality over quantity in relationships.
It encourages introspection, leading to a better understanding of your feelings and desires.
This clarity can reduce emotional clutter, alleviating stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed.
So, when you minimize superficial social engagements, you can allocate time and energy to nurture bonds that genuinely matter, promoting emotional health.
A minimalist approach to social commitments also means less social pressure, leading to an authentic, fulfilling social life aligned with one’s true values.
How Does Minimalism in Financials Affect Health?
Minimalism might save those bucks, making you less anxious about finances.
According to a statistic in this article, 52 percent of U.S. adults said financial stress negatively affects their mental health.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Work and Productivity
What about the health impact related to minimalism in work and productivity?
Focusing on essential tasks might get you that promotion faster.
But if your workspace is too minimalist, it might echo when you drop your pen.
However, according to this source, intentional activities might give you more satisfaction.
Minimalism in this realm can be a game-changer.
This article from Princeton Alumni suggests that physical and mental clutter competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and attention.
So, going minimalist at work isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a prescription for better mental well-being.
How Does Minimalism in Design and Aesthetics Affect Health?
Talking about minimalism in design and aesthetics is delving into spaces that breathe.
Imagine a room with ample space, neutral tones, and essential items.
This decluttered environment isn’t just easy on the eyes; it’s a balm for the mind.
So here we have again the health benefit of decreased stress regarding decluttered environments.
Moreover, open spaces with less stuff collect fewer dust particles, improving air quality.
Think fewer allergens and a decreased risk of respiratory issues.
So, a minimalist design isn’t just chic; it can also be a breath of fresh air for your health.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Physical Fitness
Focusing on the essentials could mean a fitter version of you without the fluff in physical fitness and health.
By focusing on essential workouts, you’re not hopping from one fitness fad to another, spending two hours daily, six days a week in the gym.
Instead, you increase your chances of consistent progress and less risk of injury.
By the way, if you want to read an old-school classic, get yourself a copy of “High Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way.”
You could call him someone who truly applied minimalist principles to weight training.
What about nutrition?
Cutting out the excess and prioritizing whole foods means you’re not on that rollercoaster of diets but eating what’s authentically good for you.
Studies show that whole foods can lower the risk of certain diseases.
But remember, sometimes, the soul needs donuts, not just kale.
How Does Minimalism in Business Affect Health?
When we think of minimalism in business, images of sleek offices, paperless desks, and clear business agendas come to mind.
However, this approach’s health implications (both mental and physical) are like hidden treasures under this streamlined sea.
Reduced Stress: With streamlined operations, there’s less clutter – physically and mentally.
And less clutter can mean reduced decision fatigue.
Clearer Focus: There’s a heightened sense of clarity by paring down tasks and focusing on what truly matters.
This clear line of sight can potentially reduce anxiety related to work.
Better Work-Life Balance: When the workday isn’t bogged down with unnecessary tasks or cluttered processes, there’s more time to enjoy your personal life.
Reduced Exposure to Toxins: Streamlined, minimalist office environments may have fewer synthetic materials, leading to fewer toxins in the air, which means better air quality.
Ergonomic Workspaces: Many minimalist office designs prioritize function over form.
This means ergonomically designed workspaces that support physical well-being, reducing the risk of ailments like carpal tunnel or chronic back pain.
Promotion of Movement: Open, decluttered spaces often encourage movement.
Instead of being boxed into cubicles, employees might find themselves walking over to converse with a colleague rather than sending an email.
Health Affects of Minimalism in Travel
Embracing minimalism in travel can profoundly influence your health.
You can derive many health effects by applying logic and common sense.
Let’s take packing lightly, for instance.
Less weight alleviates physical strain, preventing back and shoulder ailments from lugging heavy luggage.
The minimalist approach to travel also often means walking more, benefiting cardiovascular health.
Why more walking?
As a minimalist, you would opt for more immersive experiences and be less dependent on modern conveniences.
For instance, instead of relying on taxis or rideshares, you might explore cities or landscapes on foot or by bicycle.
This is not just to save money or reduce environmental impact but to truly experience a place at a slower, more intimate pace.
In addition, when you have fewer belongings, similar to the situation with physical spaces I mentioned earlier, you reduce decision fatigue and the stress of keeping track of numerous items.
Prioritizing experiences over possessions can enhance mental well-being, enabling you to connect deeply with your surroundings.
However, extreme minimalism may lead to under-preparation, potentially compromising health in unfamiliar terrains.
In essence, minimalist travel, when balanced, can offer both mental and physical health advantages.
How Does Minimalism in Cuisine Affect Health?
Minimalism in cuisine is all about embracing whole foods and simplified meals.
This means waving goodbye to those complicated, additive-loaded recipes and saying hello to natural, unprocessed goodies.
Remember from above?
Consuming unprocessed foods (whole foods) can reduce the risk of various diseases.
Plus, fewer ingredients often translate to fewer hidden sugars, sodium, and trans fats.
Oh, and let’s not forget digestion – a simpler diet can be easier on the belly.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Education
So, ever had your brain feel like a web browser with 36 open tabs?
That’s the modern education system for you.
Minimalism in education is all about focused learning and reducing those darn tabs.
Students can reduce stress and information overload by honing in on essential subjects or skills.
A clutter-free study environment also means fewer distractions, aiding mental well-being.
How Does Minimalism in Entertainment Affect Health?
The world of entertainment is where 24-hour binge-watching is a thing and where “just one more episode” turns into sunrise.
Now, by being selective in media consumption, you can free up time and reduce the mental clutter that can arise from overstimulation.
This endless content consumption can lead you into an anxiety distraction feedback loop.
Choosing quality over quantity can lead to more meaningful entertainment experiences and thus reduce the risk of the above anxiety distraction feedback loop building up.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Personal Growth
Personal growth is vast, filled with myriad goals, ambitions, and self-help books thicker than a triple-layered sandwich.
Yet, when minimalism taps on its door, it can make transformative shifts happen.
Minimalism nudges you towards setting clear, focused goals, stripping away the excess, and honing in on what genuinely matters.
Instead of juggling a dozen half-baked resolutions, you channel your energy into just a handful, increasing your success rate.
This streamlined approach, bolstered by continuous self-reflection, paves the way for genuine personal evolution and improved mental health.
Applying minimalist principles to personal growth is like having a laser-focused GPS for your life’s journey, minus the unnecessary detours.
Health Effects of Minimalism in Parenting
Minimalism in parenting is like Marie Kondo-ing your child’s life.
Fewer toys mean fewer germ hangouts.
This article from the University at Buffalo suggests that bacteria for ear infections like to hang out on toys.
Embracing nature over screens promotes mental health, while fewer toys lead to creative play.
And finally, minimalist kitchens usually promote more whole foods.
And as you could read earlier, these are much healthier than their processed counterparts.
So, in essence, minimalist parenting can be a wellness booster in disguise.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, being a minimalist seems to have numerous health and well-being benefits.
But, as with everything in life, it’s all about balance.
It’s not about being so minimalistic you vanish, but about finding what’s truly essential for you.
So, if you decide to go minimalist, just ensure you’re doing it for the joy it brings and not just to have the emptiest coffee table on the block.
In this context, you may also want to read my articles about the pros and cons of Minimalism and Minimalism vs. Maximalism.
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team. It has been approved for publication per our editorial policy.
