"The environment in which we live our daily lives is the most influencing factor on our mental and mental health at all," according to the National Counseling Association of America.
So after millions of people switched to working from home, and their interest in the kitchen increased as a source of support, it turns out that it could also be a cause of stress and stress.
The American psychiatrist, Cecil Arens, discussed mental health problems and their relationship to the surrounding environment, through a podcast called "Get Mental Podcast".
In the course of her research among experts about what can cause stress in the home, Arens emphasized that "some elements around us can make us feel stress, and cause our bodies to feel tense and cramps," highlighting 6 stimuli that harm health and cause fatigue, which may come from the kitchen specifically.
Dark kitchen
If your kitchen looks like a dark cave due to the lack of light or dark colors, it will hurt you more than you can imagine.
Because boring environments can affect our mental health, according to the National Counseling Association of America.
"I can't think of anything more stressful or bleak than working in an unlit kitchen," says designer Carol Marcotte.
And a gloomy kitchen with insufficient lighting also makes us feel sad, according to family expert Wayna Collins.
Arens stresses that a dark kitchen influences our creativity, and does not make us feel inspired.
It makes preparing food a burden, rather than an enjoyable activity. "
You don't need to cook in a dull, dark place, as long as you can paint it white, add cabinets with glass doors and shiny components that reflect the light, or expand the windows to let in natural light into your kitchen.
Crowded roofs
"Keeping kitchen surfaces free from clutter, gives you less stress and disorientation, and gives you more energy to prepare meals," says expert and blogger Kathleen.
Lots of appliances and utensils scattered around the counter, and crowded surfaces "cause tension, mental fatigue and stress, and they can be visually annoying as well," according to Aries.
And for a clutter-free kitchen, Kathleen recommends keeping most things in cupboards, except for stationary necessities, such as a coffee machine.
Besides following a nightly routine, reset your kitchen for the next day every night before bed.
Make sure everything is returned to its place and that there is nothing that does not belong on the kitchen tables.
For Kathleen, keeping kitchen surfaces clutter-free is a real struggle.
But starting over every night is preparing for success the next day.
Dirty dishes
“Leaving dirty dishes on the counter or in the sinks is one of the easiest ways to make the kitchen look messy,” Kathleen warns.
It recommends rinsing the dirty dishes and putting them in the dishwasher immediately.
Dirty dishes are another kind of visual mess that is often found in the kitchen, and is a source of stress on nerves, according to Arens, who adds that stress causes high levels of the hormone cortisol, which then leads to harmful reactions in the body.
And a study published in 2015 found that washing dishes can be a stress reliever, significantly reducing the level of stress in terms of using normal activities in life to enhance mental alertness.
The researchers found that people who washed the dishes carefully "focused on smelling the soap, feeling the temperature of the water, and touching the dishes, which increased their sense of inspiration by 25%, and reduced their stress levels by 27%."
Visible trash
Garbage is a common sight in the kitchen. It builds up from the rubbish left over from the cooking process and when we clean.
And Aries stresses the need to conceal them, given that "open trash bins, especially if they are placed where they can be seen, and inhale their unpleasant odors, often cause a feeling of discomfort and disgust."
According to Cabinetsplus, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends "putting rubbish in the trash bin under the sinks" for ease of use and minimizing odors, avoiding the emergence of unwanted insects, as well as keeping it away from children and pets.
Incomplete repairs
Breakdowns, repairs, or incomplete renovations anywhere in the home "can cause stress and increase stress," says Arens, who explains that when we're surrounded by things that don't seem appealing, calming, or cause some kind of stress response, we tend to spend less time. In that space.
However, according to kitchen designer Lisa Hoover, the stress associated with monotonous maintenance or renovation can be reduced with a few simple steps.
An example of this is considering carving out space in the house - such as the laundry room, for example - to set up a temporary kitchen in it.
And rely more on the use of the microwave, toasting oven, and hot plate.
And move the refrigerator to another room temporarily.
Then prepare to use the temporary kitchen for longer than expected, to avoid frustration.
For a clutter-free kitchen, most things should be kept in cupboards (Getty Images)
Family crowding
Many people working at home increased the tendency of family members to congregate in the kitchen, which causes crowding and tension and may transmit infection, and turns the kitchen into a stress area.
Now that it's the place we share to prepare meals, entertain, and flock to oversee homework and family meetings, it's no wonder then we're feeling the tension in the kitchen, says Jim Walker, CEO of a renovation firm.
Walker said, "The less stress in the kitchen, the more comfortable and relaxed you, your family and your guests will be. A great-looking kitchen is a great thing."