Statistics: The Health and Mental Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning

 

I thought that this bog post was worth repeating from the past. I really enjoyed the following article by Health Net, Inc. about the health and mental health benefits of spring cleaning.  It's quite motivating! I hope you enjoy it

"The month of March brings with it the official start of spring -- a season associated with renewal and romance, and, on a less lyrical level -- with dusting, scrubbing, and otherwise engaging in the roll-up-your-sleeves ritual known as spring cleaning. While heavy-duty housework hardly sounds inviting, Health Net, Inc. wants to spread the word that spring cleaning not only results in a tidy abode, but also brings with it mental health benefits.

Studies have shown that a dirty, disorganized home can harbor health threats in the form of mold, bacteria and clutter-caused injuries, but such an environment also can negatively impact mental health, explains Ian Shaffer, M.D., chief medical officer of MHN, Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary. 'A thorough spring cleaning definitely brings with it a feel-good sense of satisfaction,' he adds, 'and the physical exertion of dusting, vacuuming and scrubbing has been found to reduce stress and anxiety.'

Shaffer points out that, while the physical benefits of exercise are well known, there's mounting evidence that exercise -- even in the form of housework -- brings with it mental health benefits. In fact, one study -- conducted by University College London -- found that as little as 20 minutes of housework per week reduced feelings of psychological distress. It was further found that the risk of mental health problems was reduced by one-fifth among those engaging in just 20 minutes of housework weekly.

'Exercise is known to boost mental health,' says Shaffer, 'and house-cleaning activities are certainly a form of exercise. A bigger activity, like a top-to-bottom spring cleaning, helps you to feel organized and in control, and those feelings definitely result in reduced stress.' 

The chores-calories connection 

Doing housework not only lifts your spirits and lowers your stress level, but -- as an added bonus -- you also burn calories in the process. The American Heart Association categorizes housework as 'moderate exercise,' and says that a person weighing 150 pounds who engages in 30 minutes of household chores can expect to burn the following:

-- Cleaning a bathroom -- 200 calories

-- Doing laundry -- 133 calories

-- Making beds -- 130 calories

-- Washing windows -- 125 calories

-- Vacuuming -- 123 calories

-- Ironing --70 calories

-- Dusting -- 50 calories

Shaffer notes, 'Household chores alone are unlikely to keep you physically fit, but this, along with other daily tasks, provides a portion of the physical exercise we all need. If you combine these activities with a structured exercise program, the results can be very positive.' 

Stay organized after spring cleaning 

With the satisfaction of a successful spring cleaning behind you, Shaffer cautions against returning to one's previously disorganized ways. 'Staying organized,' he says, 'encourages the good kind of stress. In fact, studies have shown that a feeling of control -- a feeling that comes with being organized -- is key to whether stress will serve as a positive force that fuels creativity and optimism or if it will serve as a negative force accompanied by a sense of helplessness and pessimism.

Beyond optimism, being organized brings with it a bounty of other benefits.

Shaffer points to three:

-- Reduced time pressure -- Among the greatest sources of stress is time pressure, i.e., so much to do, so little time. While being organized doesn't add hours to the day, it does enable you to make the most of the 24 hours in each day. Organized individuals don't waste time wondering what work project is due when, or where a needed item -- from an unpaid bill to an uncashed check -- might be hiding. The time saved can be spent on any number of stress-busting activities, such as exercising or preparing a healthy meal.

-- Disorganization makes it hard to see things in their components. Failing to see the parts leads to a few of the whole that can be very overwhelming and at times will lead to immobilization and people failing to act and move forward.

-- No disorganization domino effect -- As a general rule, disorganization creates a ripple effect, impacting not only the offender, but also those around him or her. If you're disorganized, the fallout can extend to family, friends as well as co-workers, and a tension-filled environment can become the order of the day. Conversely, while organization doesn't guarantee harmony and happiness, it unquestionably helps."

More on the benefits of organization:
9 Ways to Enhance Your Health by Being Organized
Interesting Clutter and Organization Statistics
The "Do It Now" Mindset

Spring Comes to the Rescue of Winter Depression and Clutter

   
Here's an excerpt from an article published  in the Saturday Evening Post on March 5, 2013.  An interesting insight into the downward spiral of winter, depression, and clutter. Yay for Spring!!

"Some people wear their emotions on their sleeve. Others manifest it in the nest: The state of their homes reflects their state of mind. When depression sets in, the clutter can pile up.

Charles Miles can relate. He owns a three-bedroom Colonial-style home in Bogota, New Jersey, but when he’s feeling blue, routine maintenance is hard to keep up. 'There are dishes in the sink. Newspapers on the floor. Instead of putting things away, I leave them where they are. I think, "What’s the point?" I’m just not motivated. It’s the demon I fight all the time.'

Healthcare professionals know all too well the connection between clutter and depression. The abilities you need to keep a home clean and in relative order go by the wayside with depression. People who lose their drive find it hard to handle basic housekeeping and organizational tasks. 'A systematic pattern of home neglect is really a form of self-neglect,' says Dr. Holly Parker, a practicing psychologist and faculty member of Harvard University. 'People with depression often have low energy, almost like taking gas out of the tank of a car. They lose the motivation to do things they used to love to do. If they give up hobbies, they definitely won’t do housework.' ...

Spring is an ideal time to start getting clutter under control. For many, seasons can have a powerful affect on their moods. In the spring, the days are longer, flowers start blooming, people are out and about. Those who struggle during the short, dark days of winter perk up in the spring. 'It’s an uplifting time,' Parker says. 'You can capitalize on that time of year by getting more things done and capitalize on that boost of mood that comes with longer days.'

Solving clutter problems is a two-step process that takes planning. The first part is getting to the root of the problem, and a number of treatments can help such as therapy, medication, and doing regular exercise.

The second part is putting a system in place. ... Enlisting a friend or family member in the organizational process can give the chronically disorganized the cheerleading morale they need to keep going. A home that looks good helps us feel good.

And New Jersey homeowner Charles Miles can relate to that, too. When his outlook brightens, tackling the clutter is job number one. His reward for a home organizational makeover is a sense of accomplishment and renewed self-confidence. 'I feel great,' says Miles. 'I’m like, "Let’s invite the neighbors over for dinner!"’”

More on decluttering and depression:
10 Types of Emotional Clutter
Understanding the ADD Mindset
9 Ways to Enhance Your Health by Being Organized
Three Steps to Decluttering (print and ebooks)
Decluttering Any Room in 3 Weeks
Three Steps to Decluttering (Kindle)

Organizing Spring Break - Planning in Refill Time

I wrote the following blog post when we were foster parents for teenage girls. I wrote it in relationship to organizing summer activities, but it can work for spring break, too! Here you go: 

For those of you looking at the long expanse of summer, wondering how you're going to have any time to yourself, think "refill time." 

This is something I've planned into our summer plans with our foster children this year. Refill time is when everyone goes to their rooms and has some quiet time to themselves. 

Depending on the age of the child, this could include reading, drawing, coloring, listening to music, journaling, playing a game, doing a puzzle, doing a word puzzle, playing quietly with toys - whatever refills your child. 

If your child is small, you will likely need to start with very short times, five to ten minutes for example. You can increase it over time, depending on the age of your child. 

Our girls are teenagers, and we try to take from one to two hours of refill time daily. It doesn't always work, but that's my goal. 

Some of them have embraced it heartily. Others endure it and can't wait until it's over so they can be with people again! 

With a small child, you may need to give ideas for refill time. You can set the timer, or if he/she can tell time, show when refill time is up. 

The idea is to teach your child how to spend time alone, and that both you and your child need time to refill. 

What do you do to refill yourself? 

More refill ideas:
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Being Generous
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Relaxation
10 Ways to Double Your Time
 

Recovering from the Holidays - Give Yourself Some Grace

   
Did you know that this week is supposed to be the most depressing week of the year? Not surprising with short days and more darkness, holiday decorations to put away, family and friends have gone home, we've had time to abandon our New Year's resolutions already, and it's cold for many of us!

But instead of getting depressed, give yourself some grace.

Our daughter left yesterday for her work in Kazakhstan, and we won't see her for another year or two. We were so happy to have the unexpected pleasure of having her here over the holidays. I wanted to savor the time she was here, and didn't want to fill it with chores like taking down the decorations.

I also wanted to wait to send out a New Year's letter (instead of a Christmas letter) because she didn't arrive until Christmas Eve and I wanted to include a family picture. I've written the letter, but didn't want to take up our valuable time sending it out. Same thing with thank you notes.

But I made my choices with my priorities in mind. And I'm sure you did, too! So if you have a stockpile of things to do, don't despair! Just give yourself some grace to get them done!

Parcel them out and put them on your calendar. If your chores are overwhelming, tackle them in 15-minute spurts. You can do anything for 15 minutes! Just getting started creates momentum!

We can also be intentional about driving out the winter blahs. Some suggestions:                        
- do something you've never done before
- go somewhere you've not been before, even if it's just a road you've never driven down
- get some exercise
- get some sun
- get lost in a good book
- listen to your favorite music
- visit or call a good friend
- volunteer.

What do you do to combat the winter blahs?

More on priorities and perspective:
Prioritizing According the Energy Level
Prioritizing Your Day
Priorities and Perspective from a Ninety-Year Old

Prioritizing According to Energy Level

    
As you may know, in addition to being a professional organizer, I work part-time as an administrative assistant for a small corporation here in Bozeman, MT. My hours are flexible, which allows me to set my own schedule most of the time.

For a while, I'd go in early so I would have the rest of the day free to pursue my organizing business. I found, however, as a morning person, that I had spent most of my energy and motivation, and had little left for writing or marketing.

So I decided to change my schedule to fit my peak energy times. I now spend early mornings writing and researching, which requires my peak energy. I go into the office around 10 am and do tasks that require less energy output comparitively. When I return home, I'm ready to relax and think about dinner.

I have also chosen to work four days a week. That gives me Friday and Saturday to do organizing projects. I'm still building my business here in Bozeman, so I'm not overly scheduled. So for now, this arrangement is working for me. And if I need to, I can organize during the afternoons and evenings during the week. Even though it's not my peak mental energy time, organizing comes so naturally to me, it's not hard for me to do it at that time. 

So what about you? When is your peak energy time? Which of your tasks require your best mental and/or physical energy? Even if you don't have a flexible schedule, endeavor to find ways match your peak energy level to tasks that require peak energy. Try not to use your peak energy on tasks that don't require it. Save those mundane tasks for times when your energy is waning.


More on peak energy:

Six Ways to Maintain Peak Energy at Work

Prioritizing Your Day

A Dozen Ways to Take the Stress out of Big Projects

3 Tips to Staying Motivated While Downsizing or Decluttering

        
Today we took the first load of possessions belonging to our recent high school graduate over to her new place. We measured her room, planned where furniture would go, and unpacked what we brought. We'll continue to make trips each day until she is moved in. Now for today's topic:

In speaking with a client today, we discussed motivation. My suggestions: 

- Start in an area in which you want to work. Go with your urges! If you have the urge to declutter your pantry, go with that - motivation is a key to your success.

- Start where you can make quick progress: a drawer, a closet, a shelf. Your progress will motivate you to tackle another spot.

- Save paper, photos and such for last. This is the slowest, most tedious aspect of decluttering. If you start with paper, you'll easily become bogged down. If possible, do spurts of paper decluttering while watching a movie, on the phone, or riding in the car on a trip. 


More on motivation:

Clutter Statistics - Motivation for Spring Cleaning

Five Ways to Prevent Procrastination from Zapping Your Energy and Productivity

Organizing Drawers

Psychology Today: Beating Clutter in Less than 5 Minutes

      
 Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project offers ten tips for decluttering in Psychology Today's December 2 issue:

"Here are ten easy, quick tips that, if followed regularly, will help keep your clutter under control. And none of them takes more than five minutes – if that. I mostly follow these, and I'm a lot happier when I do.

1. Make your bed.

2. Get rid of the newspaper each night, even if you haven’t read it yet. Or am I the only one still reading a paper newspaper?

3. Follow the “one-minute rule” – push yourself to do any chore that takes less than one minute. Throw away the junk mail, put the peanut-butter jar back in the cabinet, close the cabinet door, put your dirty socks in the hamper, hang up your wet towel.

4. Identify a place or person to whom you can give things you no longer need – it’s much easier to get rid of unneeded stuff if you can envision someone else getting good use from them. Also, figure out a place to store those things until you hand them over. We have a special shelf for books that we’re taking to the Housing Works thrift store.

5. Be very cautious about letting yourself “store” something. Storing something means you don’t intend to use it much. Other than holiday decorations and seasonal clothes, you should strive to “store” as little as possible.

6. Beware of freebies. Never accept anything free, unless you’re thrilled with it. A mug, a tote bag, a hand-me-down toy, the lamp from your mother-in-law -- if you don’t need it, don’t take it.

7. Get rid of things if they break. When I went through our apartment, I was astonished by how many things I’d kept even though they didn’t work.

8. Don’t keep any piece of paper unless you know that you actually need it. I have a friend who, for years, carefully filed away the stubs when she paid her gas bill. “Why?” I asked, mystified. “I have no idea,” she said. Along the same lines, don’t keep anything that would quickly become dated -- like travel information. Remember the internet! If you can easily find information online, you don’t need to keep a hard copy.

9. Hang up your coat. I have a lot of trouble with this one, so now I use a hook instead of a hanger.

10. Before you go to bed, take five minutes to do an “evening tidy-up.” Don’t tackle anything ambitious, but just stack up the magazines, put your shoes away, shove the chairs into place, etc. Just a few minutes of tidying can make your house look a lot better, and it’s a calming thing to do before going to sleep. Plus it makes the morning nicer."

More on Decluttering:
Three Steps to  Decluttering

Just Because You've Decluttered Doesn't Mean It's Going to Stay That Way

Get Organized Month 2009 - Family Five Minute Challenge

    

Time Management Solutions - How to Discourage Tardiness

  
We have a couple of foster daughters who make others late. One has terrible organizational and time management skills. But both make others wait because of control and power issues. 

So I have decided on this strategy: when we designate a time when we must leave, if someone holds the rest of us up, that person must repay that amount of time to each person kept waiting. And ... the person(s) who was kept waiting gets to decide what the tardy person must do for her during those minutes.

So far, we've not had anyone be late. But I can imagine what nasty chores will be chosen when it does happen! LOL 

By knowing ahead of time the consequence of tardiness, people may be more considerate and not waste others' time. The tardy one will not be allowed to hold the rest hostage without recourse. 

And it takes some of the emotional stress out of the situation because there is a cost incurred when someone is late. By calmly noting the number of late minutes to be repaid, it is not necessary to escalate, taking the power away from the controlling person. 

One of the girls asked if it applies to us adults, and it does. As long as the girls do not  ask for things at the last minute that make us late.

More on time management:

Posting a Weekly Schedule

Teaching Children to Organize

Five Ways to Prevent Procrastination from Zapping Your Energy and Productivity

Time Management for the Working Mom

 

Intentional Contentment - An Antidote to Clutter

   
Sometimes when there is something lacking in our lives, we soothe ourselves with "retail therapy." Why does it feel so good to go out and spend money to fill up those holes in our lives? But that feeling is short-lived, and we're left with the clutter.

So what should we do instead? We can decide to be content! Even though there may be hard things going on in our lives, there have to be things for which we are thankful, too! 

Did you know that naming those things for which we are thankful each night at bedtime is more effective than seeing a therapist?

Here are some ideas to get you going:
- People in your life, now and in the past, who have been a positive influence.
- Events in your life that have had a good impact in your life (even if they were difficult to endure).
- Material provisions - housing, food, clothes, furniture, etc.
- Your gifts and talents. Be happy you can use them to enhance your life and that of others.
- Your job, if you have one, even if it's not your #1 choice.
- Your health, if applicable. It doesn't take long to look around and see someone who is in worse physical condition.
- Ways in which you are rich.

Even if life is very difficult for you right now, there must be things for which you are thankful.  

By choosing to be content, you're less likely to go out and buy things that will end up cluttering your house because your contentment doesn't come from things.


More on contentment:

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Change Your Attitude

Think Positively

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Music: The Great Stress Reliever

 

When Clutter is Unhealthy

  
I discovered this excellent article by David F. Tolin, director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living, Hartford, Conn., and author of "Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding" (Oxford University Press, 2007).
  

When Clutter is Unhealthy 

 

"What's the difference between messiness and hoarding?

Most messy people aren’t hoarders; they’re just messy. But if someone is no longer able to take care of work, family, or basic safety, they’ve crossed the line into mental illness. 

Their clutter might create a fire hazard or vermin infestation, or keep them from walking around in the house. They have an exaggerated attachment to items that prevents them from discarding things that most of us would consider to be junk, like stacks of old newspapers.  

What if I suspect that a friend or family member is a hoarder?

Sit down, calmly explain why you are worried, and offer to help without taking control of the person’s life. The next step is to get the person some quality mental health care. Medications don’t seem to do much for compulsive hoarding. 

We recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which we help the person identify and change irrational ways of thinking and practice new patterns of behavior. Even after treatment, most people are still hoarding, but it’s much better controlled and doesn’t cause safety problems or impinge on their functioning. 

What if the person won’t accept help?

Don’t be tempted to take a shortcut, like clearing out the house when they’re away without telling them. It doesn’t work and often precipitates a mental-health crisis. 

If there are children in the house or the person is elderly and there’s an immediate hazard, you can call in your state’s protective services agency. They have the legal authority to mandate treatment. Otherwise, there’s usually not much you can do. 

It’s horrible to watch a family member self-destruct, but if it comes down to a fight, you’re likely going to lose because the law protects a person’s right to be mentally ill. In those cases, the best option may be for family members to seek counseling themselves."

—David F. Tolin, Ph.D.

This article first appeared in the June 2010 issue of Consumer Reports on Health. For more on compulsions, such as hoarding, see our section on diagnosing and treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.


More on hoarding: 

Hoarding - There Are No Easy Answers! 

Self-Help Books for Hoarders and Their Families

Get Organized Month 2009 - Some Words from Peter Walsh, Organizing Guru

 

New Study - Fathers Who Clean and Declutter Have Happier Marriages

   
I love this article! It resonates with my belief that unselfishness is the key to a happy and mutually encouraging marriage. John Stevens wrote the following article about the fascinating results of a study about husbands and housework.

"Sorting possessions, organizing closets, and packing objects into boxes can be hard work. But husbands and fathers who do these chores can now regard themselves as investing in their own future happiness, according to a study released Thursday by the London School of Economics (LSE).

The LSE study shows a clear connection between marital happiness and the amount of housework done by fathers. Fathers who clean house, shop, and are actively involved in the care of their children are much less likely to end up divorced. Fathers who shirked these chores and who also had wives who worked outside the home doubled their risk of divorce, making them the demographic that was most likely to get divorced.  

The researchers who gathered the data did not ask fathers how much housework they were doing. Instead, they asked mothers how much housework their husbands did. They began the research process in 1970, talking to wives who had just given birth to their first child, and followed up with the families periodically over the course of the next 16 years.

About 20 percent of the couples in the study divorced by the time their first child was 16. About half the fathers were doing little or no housework, so little that they almost seemed to be campaigning for a divorce. About one quarter of the husbands did three or four chores per week, according to their wives. Those were the husbands who hit the marital jackpot, so to speak.   

The connection between men doing chores and marital happiness was so strong that researchers said it canceled out the destabilizing effect on marriage of mothers returning to the workplace. Researchers also noted that the improvement in marital happiness when husbands did chores occurred whether or not wives worked outside the home.

Scholars analyzing the study’s results were quick to point out that the important factor in keeping marriages happy was that the amount of work to be done is shared equally. It did not matter who did what tasks, as long as there was no imbalance in the arrangement, with one partner (the wife) doing far more than the other. Traditional marriages in which the husband works outside the home and the wife stays home and does most of the housework and childcare can be just as happy as marriages in which both spouses work -- but only if each spouse does a fair share of the tasks that need to be done. 

The study, which was led by senior LSE lecturer Wendy Sigle-Rushton, was done on behalf of Britain’s Gender Equality Network, which is part of the Department of Business’ Economic and Social Research Council. The Gender Equality Network was established to study the ways in which changing gender relations might be affecting families."

More on Clutter and Relationships:

Is Decluttering/Organizing with Your Spouse Making You Angry?

Is Clutter Putting a Strain on Your Relationships?

Spring Cleaning Relationships

Living with Imperfection

    
One of the best time management skills to master is knowing when to do a top-notch job and when to live with imperfection. It is impossible to expect perfection from yourself on everything you do. Otherwise you get bogged down in the details and overwhelmed.

I've been under the weather this week, and it's amazing how quickly I settled for imperfection in several areas. In fact, I did what I absolutely had to do and shelved the rest. I have tried to listen to my body and get some rest so I can recover quickly. 

But you don't have to be sick in order to live with imperfection. Some tasks are just not important enough to require perfectionism. Knowing the difference is the key.  

Allow yourself to be human and imperfect!


More on perspective:

Priorities and Perspective from a Ninety-Year-Old

Feeling Overwhelmed? Organize Your Priorities

Backlogged?

 

Guilt-Ridden Clutter

What is guilt-ridden clutter? Guilt-ridden clutter is clutter you have accumulated because you think you "should" keep it in order to do something with it. 

For example, do you have a collection of gourmet cooking tools or cookbooks because you think you "should" become a better cook?

Or do you have massive quantities of scrapbooking supplies because you think you "should" make scrapbooks for your family?

How about all those skinny clothes because you "should" lose weight?

Have you become the recipient of antiques or collectibles that you "should" keep for sentimental sake? Or sell on ebay?

I'm not saying that these are not noble ideals. But don't keep things just because you "should." If your heart is not in it, why keep the clutter?

Get rid of that load of guilt by getting rid of those things you "should" do something with! Feeling lighter already? Then, go ahead, find another home for them.


More on emotional clutter:

10 Types of Emotional Clutter

Emotional Depreciation - A Long-Term Approach to Clutter

9 Ways to Enhance Your Health by Being Organized

 

April - National Stress Awareness Month

     
In honor of April being National Stress Awareness Month, I'm re-posting a blog from the past:

6 Ways to Reduce Stress by Getting Organized
    

Clutter, both mentally or physically, creates stress. And stress zaps your energy and creativity. By taking some time to organize yourself, you'll be re-energized and clutter-free.

Reduce stress by getting your mind, schedule, priorities, and clutter organized:

- List everything that is flying through your mind - your to do list, places you need to go, people you need to contact, etc. Jotting these items down on paper relieves the stress of having to remember all of them.

- Next, prioritize and assign a day and time to each task. By doing this, your sense of overwhelm will decrease. Breaking down your list into bite-sized pieces gives peace of mind because you're not faced with a never-ending, unprioritized list of things to do. Having a time assigned to each task prevents panic because you know there is time and place for everything on your list .

- If you are still feeling overwhelmed, evaluate whether everything on your list is actually important to you. In addition, ask yourself if you have over-committed yourself. Remove those things that are least important, least urgent, or to which you are no longer committed. If possible, delegate or get some help on the remaining items on your list.

- Practice saying, "NO!" to reduce the possibility of over-commitment.

- If you have tasks you need to do each day, make a daily routine list to follow in order to accomplish those high-priority items.

- Now, take a look around you. If your surroundings are disorganized and cluttered, it's hard to have a focused and productive mind. Take a few minutes and clean off a surface, putting each item away. If an item doesn't have a home, determine where it will be most useful and efficient. If your clutter is sizable, attack it in short bursts rather than a long siege. You can do anything for 15 minutes! Start in the corner and work around the room.

When your mind is clear of clutter and your surroundings are neat and orderly, your stress diminishes. Clutter is no longer stealing away your energy. The result: you are free to be creative and productive!

More on reducing stress:
5-Minute Stress Relievers - Taking a Mental Break
Reduce Your Stress - Say No
Foods that Relieve Stress
Three Steps to Decluttering

Is Decluttering/Organizing with Your Spouse Making You Angry?

  
During a recent organizing appointment with a couple, the wife got frustrated and angry with her husband. Awkward!!

She walked out of the garage where we were working, and chilled in the living room for a while. When she was ready, she rejoined us.

If you find yourself getting angry with your spouse while decluttering or organizing, follow my client's example. Take a break. Wait until you've both calmed down. Take a step back and talk about your differences in a neutral manner. 

Usually differences come about because people look at things from different perspectives. Neither may be right or wrong, they're just different. Try to be open-minded and see things from another point of view. 

Your spouse may have a better idea! Imagine that!

More on attitude:

Spring Cleaning Your Mood

Is Clutter Putting a Strain on Your Relationships?

Priorities and Perspective from a Ninety-Year-Old

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Change Your Attitude

 

Spring Cleaning Your Mood

When the girls got home from school a couple of days ago, I had shorts on because I had exercised earlier. The sun was shining - a rare occurrence in Ohio! It was almost 50 degrees! 

So some of the girls got their shorts on, too, and we went outside to soak up some sun.  We live next door to an elementary school, so we went to the playground and the girls got a chance to get out some pent-up energy. Even though they are teenagers, they enjoyed being little kids again. Sunshine and exercise - what mood lifters (and sleep enhancers)!

I came across the following article by Pat Murrah (Reid Hospital and Health Care Services' Community Education Department), which suggests these as well as other ways to improve your mood after a long, hard winter:

"Life circumstances influence about 10 percent of our happiness. Research shows that happiness is mostly influenced by what we do to deliberately make ourselves feel better. The following tips can help you feel happier, even when life gets stressful — especially when life gets stressful:

Look at old photos
 

Looking at pictures of your favorite vacation or your children when they were babies can bring back happy feelings.

 

Munch on nuts

They contain omega 3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have a calming effect.

Inhale a calming scent

Orange and lavender are scents that have been shown to have a relaxing effect. A few drops of scented oil on a handkerchief provides an on-the-go stress reliever.

Open your drapes or shades
 

The more light you are exposed to, the more calming the effect. If you work in an office without windows, take a break and seek sunlight.

Walk around the block
 

The exercise can provide a distraction during stressful times, plus increase your exposure to sunlight.

Clear away clutter
 

Looking at clutter can remind you of things not done. Tackle one project at a time until the clutter is gone.

Think fast
 

Research shows that rapid thinking may release “feel good” brain chemicals as well as provide a distraction. Try naming all the states with begin with the letter “m” or something similar to stimulate your brain.

Laugh
 

Laughter releases dopamine in the brain, which is a natural opiate. Watch funny videos, read a funny book or just look for the laughter in daily life.

Rethink retail therapy
 

Rather than spending money for material things, spend your money on “experiences.” Going with friends to dinner or to the lake will bring more happiness than a new pair of shoes.

Hang out with cheerful people
 
There is such a thing as mood contagion. Being around unhappy or negative people can affect your mood. Try and avoid the negative people and “catch” the mood of a happy, positive person."


More on improving mood:

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Music: The Great Stress Reliever

In a Winter Rut? Here's How to Climb Out!

5-Minute Stress Relievers - Change Your Attitude

 

Overwhelmed by Unfinished Projects?

As I've studied personality types, I've learned that there are people who like to have closure and those to whom it doesn't matter as much. The former usually like to finish projects or will force themselves to do so for the sake of closure.

The latter may lose interest before the project is finished. This may be due to the inability to estimate how much time will be needed to complete the project. In addition, these people may be creative, artistic individuals with unlimited ideas and possibilities, and, as a result, unfinished projects.

If you're one with numerous unfinished projects lying around, start making some decisions! Give yourself permission to discard unfinished projects! If you've learned what you want to learn, enjoyed the experience along the way, and are ready to move on to something else, say goodbye.

If you're not yet ready to give up a project, either set a deadline for yourself or box it up to finish another time. Or box it up as a keepsake. That way, your project will not be sitting there, mocking you because you didn't finish.

By making decisions about your unfinished projects, you will rid yourself of clutter as well as the heaviness and guilt associated with them.

More on projects:
A Dozen Ways to Take the Stress out of Big Projects
Delegation - A Key Ingredient for Efficiency
Helping Your Child Organize Large Homework Projects

Is Clutter Putting a Strain on Your Relationships?

Hope you had a nice weekend! Our girls were out of school yesterday for President's Day. Today will be the first day our new girl will be riding the bus to her school - yay! So we now have four girls going to three schools. Crazy, huh? Now on to our blog for today ...


I came across the following article by Kijiji (an ebay-type business), about how clutter can strain relationships. Thought you might enjoy it!

"Battle of the Sexes

Whether it's a pair of designer shoes or a set of golf clubs, unused items can clutter up a home quickly – and can lead to a battle of the sexes. The survey found that 40% of women and 31% of men choose to hoard unused items. Regardless of whether you're fighting over valuable closet space or the money wasted on items that simply sit around, both men and women complain that their partner's unused items clutter up the home. In fact, 27% of men and 17% of women admit that their significant other's unused items cause some of the greatest conflicts in their relationship.

Making Some Sense

In light of these findings, below are a few tips to help couples put away their household differences. Despite your partner's reasoning for keeping an item, there's always a solution available. Below are a few tips to help you successfully negotiate the most common excuses:

- "I might use this again."
Nearly half of Americans, 46% of men and 49% of women, convince themselves that they will use an item again someday, despite the odds that it's probably not true. If your partner insists that the item in question is usable, negotiate a time frame for him or her to do so. For example, if they don't ride the bicycle in the garage by next summer, then it's time to sell it.

- "These remind me of..."
We all know people who become emotionally attached to their belongings, and with 14% of men and 18% of women admitting to keeping unused items simply for sentimental reasons, it's no wonder their living spaces are cluttered! Whether it's an afghan that your great aunt knitted or a college T-shirt reminding you of your glory days, there are certain things that are simply difficult to part with. Allow yourself to keep a few special items, as long as you have the space for them. Then, set aside some time during a weekend to go through the other items that you don't plan to keep and take photos of them. Once they're sorted and you have a reminder photo of each, consider selling them online to clear out space while making some extra money in the process.

- "I have no time to clean."
Instead of trying to tackle your entire house at once, commit to decluttering one area or room at a time. By working on your closet one day and your garage the following weekend, you'll get the job done without tiring yourself out, and it'll be easier to accomplish your goals once they're not so overwhelming. Items that you simply aren't using should be sorted into "trash" and "sell" piles. You'll be surprised at how much extra money you have sitting around the house in the form of unused old toys, appliances and sporting goods!

Converting to Cents

Not only can decluttering together help your relationship by alleviating stress, but it can also help you to make extra money in the process by reselling the items you no longer use. Whether it's a kitchen appliance, a handbag or a set of golf clubs, these are all items that can easily be sold online."


More on decluttering:
Three Steps to Decluttering
Declutter Sentimental Clothing - Turn Them into a Quilt
10 Types of Emotional Clutter
Your Priorities, Passions, and Gifts Create Context for Your Clutter

Don't Sabotage Yourself with the "Evening Drift"

After a long day, it's easy to drift through your evening. Doing so, however, may end up sabotaging yourself later.

It's important to rest, refuel, and spend time with those you love. It's also important to be pro-active in using your evening well. By doing so, you'll be able to anticipate what needs to happen tomorrow, and you'll feel less overwhelmed at the end of the week.

Each week when you plan the next week's schedule, plan your evenings as well:

- Establish an evening routine consisting of several tasks that keep life on track. Some examples might include family time, bath times for kids, homework time, 15-minute clean up for the entire family, loading/running the dishwasher, thinking through tomorrow's dinner, some personal time, a set bedtime, etc.

- Schedule household chores (load of laundry, cleaning task, paying bills, etc.) that can be done throughout the week. Doing a load of laundry or two during evening activities eliminates dedicating large chunks of time to it over the weekend.

- You'll also want to think through what is necessary for everyone to get out the door in the morning: lunches, backpack/briefcase/diaper bag/purse loaded, athletic uniforms/gear, band instruments, school forms, choose clothes for tomorrow, etc.

- Multi-task in low-risk areas: Fold laundry while overseeing homework. Dust while watching a TV show. Vacuum during commercials. Clean counters while on the phone.

If by using your evening time well, you can squeeze in some tasks you normally do on the weekends, you'll avoid having a huge weekend to-do list! Encourage the rest of the family, if applicable, to do the same.

More help:
Getting Organized for School - Charts
10 Ways to Double Your Time
The Real Problems Behind Kids' Excuses To Get Out of Chores
The "Do It Now" Mindset
Decluttering in 5 - 20 Decluttering Tasks You Can Do In Five Minutes or Less
How to Buy Some Extra Time
Getting Organized for School - Creating a Backpack List
Getting Organized for School - Family Calendar

Writers: Five Simple Ways to Manage and Organize Your Writing Time

We had an interesting weekend - had a visit from a potential foster daughter and a visit from Mother Nature. Fifteen inches of snow! Both were delightful.

Today and tomorrow I'm writing about how writers can organize themselves. If you're not a writer, pass it along to someone you know who is. On to today's blog:



Writing is creative -- a right brain activity. Organization and management are left brain activities. Is it any wonder that writers may feel bipolar -- knowing they should be somewhat organized, yet needing to listen to their creative bent? How do you accomplish your goals while following your inspirational urges?

I think the answer is to have a loose organizational structure that provides you with some guidance, all the while paying attention to what is motivating you at the moment. You don't want to ignore times when you are energized to work on a particular project.

Here are some tips to help you structure your time and still retain your creativity:

1. Know your passions and gifts. Where do you shine? About which topics do you love to write? What style of writing is your favorite? What type of publication do you prefer?

2. Based on your passions and gifts, determine your priorities. In which areas will you concentrate? Where do you want to spend the majority of your time? If you have several areas of interest, prioritize them in terms of preferred topics, preferred writing style(s), on which you want to spend more time, etc.

3. List those projects on which you are currently working or on which you want to work. How do they match up with your passions, gifts, and priorities? For example, if you are working on something that doesn't fit with your passions, gifts, and priorities, why are you doing it? Is it something you are contracted to do or can you decide to forgo this project? Prioritize your current projects in light of your priorities.

4. Create some tangible goals. How many hours will you spend daily on each project? Do you have a goal of a certain number of words each day on each project? How many articles/books, pages, do you want to write in a certain length of time? Is there research you need to do? Do you have deadlines? Do you need to set some deadlines?

5. Create a daily routine: what you will do first, second, third, etc. and how much time you will spend on each.

Remember, if you are hitting a mental block on one priority, take a break and do something totally different to refresh your mind, whether it is another priority or something unrelated to writing.

If you are eager to work on a particular project, listen to your urges. Determine whether working on this project will derail your priorities. If possible, act on your creative juices -- your writing will flow if you are burning to work on the project. By acknowledging your creative motivation and knocking out this project, you will be energized to return to your higher priorities.


More on time management:
How to Buy Some Extra Time
6 Ways to Reduce Stress by Getting Organized
Organizing Your To-Do List