Tag: anxiety

Know When to Purge Your Possessions

Posted on by Jordank

Do you feel like you’ve outgrown your home because of all the #stuff inside it? Do you wonder if leasing a storage unit, buying a new set of shelves or organizers, or putting more things in the garage or basement is the answer?

Do you have trouble finding your wallet, keys or important documents? Do you ever set things down in the kitchen or on the dining room table only to search for them again in five minutes? Have you ever bought anything again when you couldn’t find the original?

Does the thought of others seeing the piles of stuff inside your home make you not want to have people over? Does all of that extra stuff get in the way of routine housecleaning tasks, making your home look dusty, dirty or unhealthy?

Do you have a #closet that’s bursting with stuff or a #junk drawer, or is every closet and drawer in your home like that? Are there parts of the home that are just too crowded to use? Do you find your home to be a relaxing sanctuary, or do you feel anxious, overwhelmed, distracted or depleted?

If you answered yes (or YES!) to any of these questions, you might need to do a complete #purge and #decluttering. All of that stuff is getting in the way of your life.

“There’s a whole body of research that shows how #clutter can actually negatively impact our moods and levels of stress,” says Minimalists Managed. “Clutter can make day-to-day life even harder [and] more difficult to manage when we’re surrounded by too much stuff.”

You can’t go on like this! Pick a single room, closet, drawer or shelf and start #decluttering. Sort goods into #keep, #donate and #trash piles; put the keepers where they belong and the trash into the bin. It isn’t easy to get started, but success in one area can help you move to others.

When you collect enough lightly used items to #donate (it will happen fast), put them in boxes and bags and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. Those items will be resold to benefit the nation’s #veterans, while you gain a new, #clutter-free lease on life.

The more you #declutter, the more calm and fulfilled you will feel. Do yourself a favor and get started today!

Beating the Back-to-School Blues

Posted on by Jordank

#Back-to-school time can be fraught with worry for #kids and #parents alike. Kids might worry about new and more difficult classes, making friends, and catching the bus on time. Parents likely worry about getting kids to school, managing homework and money.

Most jarringly for kids, the season represents a shift from the carefree days of #summer. There won’t be as many opportunities for freestyle play or spontaneous family fun when school is in session; it’s like starting a new job at the end of every #summer. Naturally, the shift can produce anxiety.

Academic struggles, relationships, bullying, fitting in and the unknown can take their toll on the young psyche, says Parents. Common signs of anxiety in children can include physical complaints, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Listen to #children and validate their feelings to deal with any possible qualms about going back to #school. Encourage kids to express their concerns. Remind them that they aren’t alone. Work through worries together, calmly and with understanding.

It can help to do a “walk-through” of the school day — waking up on time, eating breakfast, packing their backpacks, and traveling to and from school. Get children comfortable with the transition before it takes place.

You can also plan a #summertime “last hurrah” — an outing designed to give your kids a great memory of the summer that was. It could be a trip to the beach, a day at an amusement park or a celebratory meal — anything that gives your child something to look forward to.

And parents — if you’re worried about the expense of having growing children in school — start your back-to-school #shopping at the #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org. You can #save #money on any number of school needs, from clothing to art supplies.

As you take stock of the summer and prepare your kids to return to school, ask them if there’s anything they no longer need. Set those things aside and schedule a free #donation #pickup with ClothingDonations.org. Those goods will be resold to help the nation’s #veterans.

Transitions are never easy — especially the one from summer fun to schoolwork. Help your kids cope; it will help them succeed at school!

Fighting Feelings of Spring Fatigue

Posted on by Jordank

The change of seasons from #winter to #spring can often leave people feeling exhausted, sluggish and demotivated.  It’s a phenomenon known as spring fatigue, and it occurs as the body adapts to changes in daylight, temperature, air quality and overall routine. To keep your energy level up, get quality sleep, seek out the sun early in the day, stay active, hydrate and eat a balanced diet, Georgetown Behavioral Health says. Seek professional help if the fatigue lingers, starts to interfere with daily activities, or is accompanied by symptoms of depression and anxiety. #EndOfWinter

Conquering the Springtime Blues

Posted on by Jordank

#Seasonal affective disorders aren’t limited to #winter, says Brown University Health. Any change can spur anxiety, and allergens and toxins in the #springtime outdoor environment can aggravate inflammation. Exercising just once a week can elevate mood; mental stimulation is also important. Getting out in the sun — if you can find it — can aid Vitamin D production and boost serotonin. Getting #organized can also relieve stress: “When you #declutter the home, you #declutter the mind. Messy spaces tend to make us tense, so removing that small #stress from your day might help boost your mood.” #EndOfWinter

Create a Project for the Dead of Winter

Posted on by Jordank

There’s always a time of year when the #winter weather starts to wear on a person. Snow and cold likely find you indoors more than you want to be, and there are few holidays or occasions to provide a distraction. We’ve entered the year’s gray doldrums.

There’s a fantastic way to fight any boredom, anxiety, cabin fever or seasonal blues you might be feeling, however: Think up a new #project and get it off the ground! There’s extra time on the calendar, and you can defeat the winter weather to get something accomplished.

At #new year’s resolution time, the project might be yourself and your health. You might have started a dry January or be counting down to a dry February. You might set fitness goals such as losing X number of pounds or visiting the gym regularly.

You might decide to enhance your knowledge by learning something new — a language, a musical instrument, or a craft such as woodworking or pottery. The internet is full of free and reasonably priced classes; sites such as OpenCulture, MasterClass, Babbel and others help you get started.

Perhaps you’ve been planning a few small #household renovations — interior painting and redecorating, installing new insulation or shelving, and so on. As long as you’re trapped inside, you might as well get started on a project that makes your surroundings more inviting.

#Decluttering and #organizing is a great project to start now, since it can rapidly improve your home’s livability and your mood. The Spruce offers a 30-day challenge for the winter months, but you can adjust the scope of the project to suit your capabilities. ClothingDonations.org can help when you schedule a #free donation #pickup.

Projects don’t have to be huge to make a difference. Maybe you have a hobby you’d like to revisit. Maybe you’d like to finish one good book. Maybe you’d like to update your résumé, volunteer locally or help a family member with their project. Now’s the time.

Tackling a project can keep you from getting frustrated and bored during the dreary winter months. No matter what you might choose to do, you’ll feel more confident when you launch a new project and a sense of accomplishment when you complete it. Get it started!