It's called the disease of affluenza. Too much stuff owing to too much affluence. The result is a quagmire of clutter. Living in clutter is more than just a matter of aesthetics. It can be hazardous to your health. According to lifestyle gurus, clutter and disorganisation create a negative home environment that gets the blood pulsing through the body, sending people into a stressful state that sets the tone of the entire day. So clean up your home, and chances are you'll improve your health. Some useful hints:

Bedroom: The bedroom should be a place to relax and shake off the anxieties of the day. If you're surrounded by clutter, it follows that negative energy is going to interfere with relaxation and sleep. A good night's sleep is the basis of good health. Even common items like exercise equipment, paper-work and work-related items can attract the wrong kind of energy and sabotage rest. Everything in the bedroom should be geared to support sleep, and give your mind a chance to unwind.

Closets: People think no one will ever see their closets. So they often leave it overstuffed. An overloaded closet makes a thorough cleaning impossible. Dust can infiltrate the fibres of your clothing, and bring on sneezing fits. A good cleaning reduces environmental exposure to these allergic-triggers.

Family room: 'Packratitis' is a top cause of chronic sinus conditions. When tabletops and floors are covered with toys, magazines and DVDs and other clutter, chances of making a clean sweep are miniscule. People tend to adapt to their environment, and don't recognise their own bad habits. So, retain your eyes to see the dirt. It could change your life completely.

Bathroom: A cabinet full of expired necessities is the hallmark of a dysfunctional bathroom. Old medications and cosmetics can lose their potency or, worse, make you ill. Trash them.

Home office: Inefficient configurations of computers, components and office files won't just hamper productivity. A makeshift chair or a desks that's not properly positioned for a keyboard and mouse (perhaps because of those piles of paper) could wind up being a pain in the neck, and the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome, eyestrain, and headaches are common complaints that manifest when good organisation goes awry.

Kitchen: A disorganised kitchen can lead to poor nutrition, even weight problems. A kitchen in disarray is one you're less likely to spend time in.

That means lots of snack foods and canned foods and lots of eating out that can lead to weight and related health problems.

Organising gurus say they have seen dramatic transformations in their clients' health and well-being once the clutters are removed.