Want to keep your New Year’s resolutions? Make them attainable! EcoWatch offers a host of health-conscious suggestions, including eating more unprocessed foods, getting more sleep, cutting down on alcohol, visiting a doctor for a checkup and — perhaps easiest of all — taking a vacation. These resolutions are so simple and sustainable that most people can find ways to satisfy them n an ongoing basis. And one of the keys to creating new-year/new-you success is to experience small successes along the way to a larger, more daunting goal such as losing weight.
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
How to Have a Stress-Free Holiday
By the time you read this, the year’s extraordinarily short #holiday shopping season will be nearly over. If you haven’t completed your shopping by now, you’ll have to pay for overnight shipping or brave the last-minute crowds at an old-school retail store.
As the clock winds down, you may also have meals to prepare and gifts to wrap. You may need to do an airport run to help far-flung family members join in the fun. You may even need to fit all of these activities in around your work schedule.
That’s a lot of stress. But there are ways to defuse that stress and enjoy the holidays.
The first is to know when you’ve done enough. Striving to create the “perfect” holiday can drive you nuts. There may be a few “nice to haves” or traditions that you just can’t fit into the holiday plan this year — and that’s OK. The sun will rise and set without them.
If you’re short a gift, you can give cash, buy a gift card or sign your giftee up for a subscription service that periodically delivers coffee, tea or wine. There are also plenty of all-digital gift options that can help show you care instantaneously.
Take advantage of services that take some of the work off your hands. Retailers are only too happy to wrap that gift or assemble that piece of furniture. The local bakery can provide a pie, and you can ask guests to bring a side dish.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when the big event arrives. A thoughtful guest will volunteer, of course, but many people may need reminding as they celebrate with family and friends. This is a great way to keep kids occupied ahead of a gift grab.
You can set deadlines on what you need to get done, but build in an hour or two of serenity to maintain your sanity. “Head outdoors for a refreshing change of scene,” Woman’s Day suggests. “Take a starlit nighttime stroll through your neighborhood to view the holiday lights.”
You don’t have to do it all — and even if you could, it wouldn’t add to your enjoyment of the holiday season or anyone else’s. Focus on the big picture and know when to “say when,” and you’ll be able to create warm holiday memories without the stress.
Gifts That Can Help Conquer the Clutter
Whether it’s the desk, drawer or dorm room, there is probably an accouterment designed to help people organize it. Simplemost has gift ideas to help organize tea bags, box lunches, batteries, toys, scarves, closets and more. The Container Store offers every kind of bin and box imaginable for room-by-room organization. But the last word on keeping one’s home organized, however, must be Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which will encourage giftees to slash their inventories of worthless stuff and embrace a new, clutter-free lifestyle.
Gifts That Help You Know Where Things Go
Half of staying organized is knowing where everything is supposed to go. To that end, blogger Abby Lawson suggests getting a labelmaker (or two) to print labels for stacking bins, kitchen canisters, file folders and other dedicated spaces. For small labels, Dymo and Brother make a number of easy-to-use, inexpensive sticky-tape systems, while larger printers offer the ability to print on clear plastic or vinyl. They make a great holiday gift for the accomplished neat freak — or anyone who aspires to get their stuff more organized in the new year.
Ordering Gifts That Encourage Organization Online
There’s still time to buy gifts for the neat-freak on your list online, even if you prefer to pay nothing for shipping. PopSugar suggests wire racks to keep the fridge more organized, a tiny vacuum cleaner for your computer keyboard, and a variety of hampers and organizers for clothing and shoes. Storage jars can help keep bulk goods fresh and easy to locate in the kitchen and pantry, while canvas totes can help sort out toiletries for people on the go. And if keeping jewelry or cosmetics organized and at the ready is a challenge, the site offers a number of catch-all dishes, trays and figural storage options.