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
Tag: decluttering
Conquering the Springtime Blues
#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
Embrace Simplicity During Lent and Ramadan
The season of repentance arrives for approximately 3 billion people this week. Christians and Muslims throughout the world will begin observing the traditions of Lent and Ramadan Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 by engaging in fasting, prayer and abstinence.
If you’ve ever wondered why the observances are so similar, it’s because the two religions trace their origins to the mystical experiences and religious quests of Abraham. Lent commemorates the 40 days the Hebrews spent in the desert; the month-long Ramadan recalls the moment God revealed the Koran to the prophet Mohammed and follows the broader theological principle of advancing toward holiness on a pilgrimage.
Whatever religion you practice, the season invites everyone to embrace #simplicity. Even if you aren’t observant of a major religion, the monthlong or 40-day timeline can support you in your efforts to be more sensible, healthy, penitent and/or #organized.
Lenten sacrifice calls for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. You may be familiar with the season’s abstinence from eating meat (particularly on Fridays) or individual choices such as abstinence from temptations such as chocolate, alcohol, television or gossip. Almsgiving includes #charity in many forms, including #donations of money, services and goods.
Similarly, Ramadan suggests that Muslims strengthen their connections with Allah by practicing selflessness. “Through acts of charity, Muslims express gratitude for their blessings and demonstrate compassion towards others, embodying the values of empathy and kindness,” says Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation.
For Christians, Muslims and anyone else who feels beset by #clutter, we offer a simple strategy to add to the calendar: #Clean out a #closet, drawer or other #household space and #donate any #extra #stuff to ClothingDonations.org. You can feel good that the simple act of almsgiving will go toward programs that help #veterans in need.
Whatever else you choose to do during the season of Lent and Ramadan, make a #donation! Whether or not it is part of your religious observance, it will help you embrace a more ascetic and sustainable existence.
Go for the Gold in the Decluttering Games
In the spirit of the Milan Cortina Winter #Olympics, try “gamifying” your household #cleaning and #decluttering efforts. One strategy is a 30-day minimalism challenge that asks you to declutter X number of items based on the date of the month — one on the first, two on the second and so on. In a 30-day month, that’s more than 400 items you can #donate or #trash! Even if you do the challenge for only a week, it can help your #decluttering and #organizing efforts snowball, Apartment Therapy says. Go for the gold by scheduling a #free #donation #pickup with ClothingDonations.org. #OlympicDecluttering
Schuss Your Way to a Clutter-Free Home
#Decluttering takes on an #Olympic bent when you attempt the “ski slope” method. “Much like skiing, where you don’t start by going straight down the hill, the ski slope method allows you to crisscross a room, one small section at a time, building momentum as you go,” says its originator, “home therapist” Anita Yakota. “By focusing on smaller areas, I found that I could actually clean up the space without feeling completely defeated — and it worked! This method gave me the freedom to take breaks while knowing I could finish by the end of the day. No more procrastination or paralysis.” Let the Games begin! #OlympicDecluttering