Stress is a major contributing factor to poor health.  Physical clutter adds to that stress, often without your knowledge, because clutter is what you no longer see.  You walk around the piles of magazines, and you really don't see them. But I can guarantee that your head and stomach "feel" them; you get a wave of guilt from ignoring the problem. Perhaps you fear throwing things away because you might miss something. 
 
A way to test this stress theory is to remove the clutter and feel the difference.  If you are having a difficult time seeing the clutter in question, take a look around your space through a stranger's eyes, as if company were coming.  This is a surefire way to bring to light all of the items that you have been ignoring for a long time.
 
Clutter has no conscience.

CLUTTER CAN:
       Make you sick
       Make you feel tired
       Affect your body weight
       Keep you living in the past
       Cause or worsen depression
       Make you put your life on hold
       Induce a feeling of shame and guilt
       Be the main cause of procrastination
       Add unnecessary confusion in your life
       Make you feel that there is no alternative
       Affect how people treat and/or respect you
       Cause disharmony among family, friends, or co-workers
 
Clutter is nothing more than unmade decisions.

The existence of physical clutter should come as no surprise since we live in such a prosperous time. The problem is that we want everything and we want it NOW.  Since we live in a climate of instant gratification, we can have most things whenever we want them.  But we do not need most of what we have in our lives. The "stuff" accumulates and is never given a proper home. Thus, clutter is born.

If you are able to get your physical clutter under control, the mental clutter is likely to follow without much effort, since one causes the other.  Like when you go into a cluttered room or office, you immediately tense up. If you go into that same room or office after you have decluttered it, you feel liberated. Your time becomes yours again, your priorities fall back into place, and best of all, your health may improve.

Here is a TOP 10 LIST of how to Organize and Simplify your life...once and for all!  
 

10.  WORK IN ONE AREA AT A TIME...
As you work, do not leave the area in which you are working.  You will be distracted by things in other areas and lose valuable time.  Put items that belong somewhere else by the door and deliver them later.
 
9.  SET TIME LIMITS...
Knowing how long you can work is crucial.  Be realistic--if you only have the energy to work 2 hours, then stop after 2 hours. Make sure that you don't overdo it because this will discourage you from future organizing.
 
8.  USE A TIMER...
 
This may sound silly, but it works.  Whatever amount of time you schedule to organize, use the first 1/2 to sort and the second 1/2 to put away.  You know what normally happens, you sort for the whole time and before you know it, you have 70 piles and it's time to stop.  SET THE TIMER for 1/2 the time, stop sorting when it rings, and start putting away.
 
7.  HAVE A CLUTTER BUDDY...
 
Having someone to help you is very motivating and can alleviate any boredom that may set in.  Or you could hire a Professional Organizer to come in and guide you through the steps necessary to install systems with long-term results.
 
6.  REWARD YOURSELF...
 
This is so important!  If you know there is something waiting for you at the end of an organizing session, it can be very motivating.  It can be something like a bubble bath, 9 holes of golf, ½-hour reading a novel; a ½-hour walk...whatever makes YOU happy.
 
5.  LEARN TO LET GO...
 
By asking yourself a few quick questions, you can rid your life of a lot of clutter.  Do I REALLY need this?  When was the last time I used this?  Could someone else benefit from this more than me?  Why am I keeping this?  Be honest with yourself and you'll see that letting go is not so hard.
 
4.  DECIDE TO MAKE DECISIONS...
 
Clutter is nothing more than unmade decisions so know that as you organize, you will be making a series of decisions.  You have to be in a decisive mood or you'll never get anywhere.   Instead, you'll be pondering over old stuff, moving it from one place to another.  A great tool for decisions with you papers is the PaperConnect™ Tickler File, available at ByeByeClutter.com.
 
3.  GET THE URGE TO PURGE...
 
If you normally keep everything, make sure you are in the frame of mind to declutter your life.  If you are not ready to purge and let go, don't even waste your time.  You have to admit to yourself that you are unhappy with the clutter in order to have a motivating factor.   Until then, you probably won't throw much away.  A Professional Organizer is great help for this type of problem.
 
2.  ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS...
 
While you are organizing, try not to:  answer the phone, make any calls, check your email, write any emails, have anyone around that you are responsible for (plan around children's schedules, etc.).  Let people know that you are not available for the time that you are going to organize.

1.  And the #1 tip on How to get organized and simplify your life! ...MAKE IT FUN!
 
If you look at organizing as a boring or grueling chore, you'll hate every minute of it.  Envision the end results...No more stress, no more piles, setting a good example for others, being able to find things when you need them, not by accident 3 days later.  Say Bye Bye Clutter and Hello Simplicity!