A GOOD clear-out at home can be so therapeutic but what if the task is too daunting?

Interior designer Helen Sanderson believes the concept of mindful decluttering could transform many people's lives, and she has set out to help us break the cycle of hoarding.

Helen says there is no question that a good tidy-up can be good for the soul. Restoring calm in our surroundings means a calmer mind too, freeing us from the disorder that can clutter and clog our brains as much as our rooms.

"It never ceases to amaze me the changes that happen when someone declutters their space," she said. "A new energy emerges from beneath the clutter. People often tell me they feel a surge of power and very often significant things start to shift: family relationships improve, new possibilities open up, promotions at work, new relationships, shifts in therapy."

But while knowing this is one thing, confronting that archive of unsorted life admin crammed in the bottom drawer, or the long-unused children's stuff and camping gear (unwashed since its last outing) now mummifying in the under-stairs cupboard, is quite another.

Decluttering pro Helen, who is based in North London and has worked with the NHS, Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Ministry of Justice and Guardian News & Media, knows the struggle is real.

She says she has heard all the excuses but has also seen the powerful transformations that can take place when you finally get past those hurdles.

"Clutter can have a huge impact on your energy. It holds us back and can be very draining," explained Helen, who as well as being an interior designer also has a background in psychotherapy, giving her a unique insight into how our physical environments and wellbeing overlap.

She acknowledges tackling the issue can be overwhelming. "It's driven by fear of making decisions, procrastination, and letting go of the past," says Helen, who founded Ministry of Calm (www.ministryofcalm.com) in 2005.

"We often have stuff we've been avoiding dealing with because it has negative associations and memories.

"This can be anything from un-filed divorce papers, dealing with items belonging to someone who has died, or even simply clearing out that messy 'man drawer', as comedian Michael McIntyre likes to call it: that drawer with old phones that no longer work, strange wires and old foreign currency no longer in circulation, but you worry about throwing away in case you need it one day.

"The trouble is, when you procrastinate like this and don't deal with these things, you always have that nagging voice in your head saying, 'You should do this', and every time you think about it you're reminded about the past event you don't want to think about," she added.

"It's a vicious cycle and saps energy that could be used in the present moment to do something creative with your time, rather than beating yourself up."

While Japanese author and organising consultant Marie Kondo extolled the virtue of streamlining our belongings by saving only those things that bring pure joy, Helen says there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to achieving the optimal amount of stuff - and that's okay.

But, by following a few simple steps, you can figure out the best fit for you and tidy your way to lower stress and new-found clarity. To smooth the path towards mindful decluttering, Helen has created the Home Declutter Kit: The Mindful Method To A Stress-Free Home.

Based on the systems she's used to help hundreds of clients over the past decade, the kit comprises an easy-to-follow guide and 30 illustrated prompt cards; a toolkit to help ease people through the process.

As well as tips for working out what to keep or get rid of, there are space-friendly suggestions for holding onto memories (like photographing things and creating an album or scrapbook, instead of leaving items crammed in a box that never gets looked at), plus dos and don'ts to help you avoid classic clutter mistakes.

"For most people, tidying up means putting things away, whereas mindful decluttering is really being conscious about and connecting with your possessions in a meaningful way," said Helen.

"It's about being more aware of your stuff and surroundings, thinking about what things mean to you, rather than just putting stuff in cupboards. When people declutter, they often say, 'Oh, that's where that is', because they've lost connection to the things they have and become unconscious to them.

"Getting people into the action of decluttering can be cathartic and form part of a healing process, helping people move on in areas where they are stuck and making space for a happier life.

"When people get into the swing of letting go, it gives them a massive amount of energy."

The Home Declutter Kit by Helen Sanderson is priced £36.99, available from homedeclutterkit.com