The Complete Guide to KonMari Method & How It Can Help You Achieve Better Sleep

Maintaining a clean space can do so much more than keep your home neat - it can positively impact your well-being and even your mental health. Author Marie Kondo’s bestselling novel The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying covers a unique approach to keeping your home as clean as you can.

One unexpected side-effect of clearing your space using the KonMari method is sleeping better. Your sleep environment can play a significant role in how calm and relaxed you feel before heading to bed.

Here’s everything you need to know about the KonMari method, including some tips on using it to clean your own bedroom to improve your sleep habits:

What is the KonMari Method?

The KonMari Method was developed by a Japanese organizing consultant and author, Marie Kondo. It is based on the idea that we should always be aware of our possessions and how they make us feel.

Kondo recommends sorting our belongings into categories such as clothes or books and then deciding if the object “sparks joy” or not. If so, it should remain in our possession. If not, the mari kondo method suggests discarding it to allow ourselves to live more neatly and happily with only those things that bring us joy.

The method has been hugely popular in Japan and Western countries alike, with over five million copies sold worldwide and translated into over 30 languages.

How to Start the KonMari Method in 5 Easy Steps

The KonMari Method is about clearing your home of everything that doesn't "spark joy." It sounds simple, but it can be hard to start. Luckily, there are seven easy steps you can take to get the ball rolling.

1) Begin by greeting your room

The KonMari method emphasizes cultivating gratitude for your possessions, surroundings, and life. If you watch Marie Kondo’s Netflix show, Tidying Up With Mari Kondo, you’ll notice she begins each episode by greeting the space she’s in, and that’s for a very special reason.

Though it might feel odd for you to have to thank your bedroom, doing so allows you to acknowledge the very special function it has in your life and for your well-being. Your cleaning process will become that much easier for it.

2) Throw out anything that doesn't “spark joy”

One of the main rules of Kondo’s method involves throwing away personal possessions that don’t ‘spark joy’. It’s important to take yourself through your possessions, item by item, before deciding what you might want to do with your belongings.

If holding an item and waiting to figure out if it sparks joy seems strange to you, there are other ways to assess whether you should keep or discard your personal items.

3) Get rid of clothes you haven't worn in a year

Most of us have a tendency to accumulate clothes over time, even when we’re not actively using those clothes. When it comes to old clothes, it’s really best to donate or throw out things you haven’t used in over a year.

For seasonal clothing, keep bulkier jackets, coats, and heavy shoes out of your closet and packed neatly to bring out during the winter months. Not only will this help you with figuring out how to make more space in your bedroom, but it will also ensure you’re sleeping more peacefully through the night.

4) Tidy by category, not location

One of the main features of Kondo’s method is the idea you should try to tidy by category, instead of item location. This means that when you’re organizing the clothes in your closet, you’ll also need to pay a visit to the attic or any storage spaces where you keep extra clothes.

If you’re working on your sheets, it’s important to think of any other elements of your bedding that might need organizing, including your blanket, any sleep accessories, and your mattress. By focusing on each section of your room by category, you’ll achieve a much more holistic view on what needs organizing within your space.

5) Wash your sheets weekly

One of the main principles of the KonMari method is that clean spaces equal happy spaces. The bedroom can actually get messy fairly quickly, especially when it comes to your sheets, which need changing at least once a week because of all the bacteria and dead cells we shed while sleeping on our bed. You’ll also want to make sure you schedule in cleaning your mattress once every three months, as well as your pillows, to keep a truly clean space.

Using the KonMari Method In Your Bedroom to Reduce Stress

When it comes to incorporating the KonMari method into your bedroom, there are a ton of quick and simple ways you can make sure you’re achieving a calmer environment.

The level of cleanliness and organization you bring to your bedroom can have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep.

Why The KonMari Method Might Improve Sleep Hygiene

The KonMari method has potentially positive effects on every aspect of your life, including your sleep hygiene. A clear space can be naturally calming to an anxious mind. In one study, researchers at UCLA found mothers who lived in cluttered homes actually experience an elevated level of cortisol when compared to ones who don’t.

Another survey by the National Sleep Foundation also linked healthy sleep habits to clean bedrooms. Over 75% of their participants agreed that they preferred clean sheets, and in fact, found it easier to fall asleep in them. Having a clean space can therefore contribute significantly to how well you sleep through the night. Some other tips to improve your sleep hygiene include:

• Going to sleep at the same time each night: Your body clock relies on routine to keep working, and so if you’re going to sleep at different times depending on the day, chances are you’re going to be unable to get a consistent night of sleep.
• Investing in a sleep setup that works for you: Many people don’t know how important it is to periodically change your sheets, bedding, and mattress for a good night’s sleep. As we grow older, our needs from a good night’s sleep change, so it’s important to check in with yourself from time to time to ensure you have the best mattress and bedding for what you need.
• Remove electronic devices from your bedroom: As tempting as it may be to spend the last few minutes before going to bed on your phone, you’re going to notice it’s a lot harder to fall asleep after exposing yourself to melatonin-disrupting blue light.
• Avoid large meals, alcohol, or caffeine before bedtime: Certain foods and drinks that contain alcohol can have a serious impact on the quality of your sleep through the night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try sticking to light, healthy meals before bedtime, and observe the impact it has on your overall rest.

Paired with a clean room, you’re going to experience better sleep in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five steps of the KonMari method?

The Mari Kondo method of organization involves five basic steps, as shown in her Netflix show Tidying Up With Mari Kondo:

1. Discarding your personal possessions depending on their category
2. Breaking up a single category into different subcategories
3. Keeping things that spark joy
4. Organizing your space with the items that remain
5. Finishing your clean-up in one go

These steps guarantee you’ll make the most of your clean-up, and help keep your home as organized as possible.

How do you declutter using the KonMari method?

To use the Mari Kondo method when cleaning, you’re first required to do an inventory of your personal possessions, splitting them up into categories as you go.

Deciding what you need to keep and what you need to throw out is the next step. The KonMari method advocates you hold your item, and think about whether or not it sparks joy. If it does, then you can find a place in your home for it, and if not, you can choose to donate it or discard it entirely.

This method of organization is focused on feelings of gratitude for what you own and keeps you focused on keeping your space as effective as possible.

How do I start using the KonMari method?

Anyone can begin implementing the KonMari method into their own daily practices. Avoiding collecting clutter, donating or disposing of old items that don't make sense in your space, and ensuring you’re able to keep things that truly ‘spark joy’, all make up this method of organization.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a total beginner to this method of organization, or you’re actively trying to seek approaches that will help you sleep better, the KonMari method is well worth a try. The show Tidying Up With Mari Kondo has definitely brought awareness to a lot of people seeking a simple yet effective way to organize their homes and in turn, their lives. Taking that first step can be the beginning of a more balanced, healthy version of yourself - what are you waiting for?