Does #Dad really need another tie or pair of shoes? #Father’s Day gifts don’t have to add to the #clutter. Tickets to experiences such as concerts and sporting events can treat him while adding nothing to the amount of #stuff stored in the home (assuming he resists buying a lot of souvenirs), and his favorite consumables can be good options, too. Or you can give the gift of #organization, says Just Organized. Many of a typical #dad’s favorite spaces — the garage, workshop, mancave and home office — tend to be dumping grounds for all kinds of #junk that could be #decluttered and #organized. Help him yourself or hire a professional; he won’t forget it! #FathersDay
Tag: donation
Start Downsizing While Parents Still Have Their Health
The best time to have a conversation about #decluttering and #downsizing with a parent is long before you need to, says Reader’s Digest — when they are still healthy, independent and not in the middle of a move. That way, they can decide where the most meaningful items will go in a more directed, yet theoretical way. Avoid using words that subtly undermine the value of their lives’ possessions such as “#trash” or “#junk,” and instead use words such as “preserve,” “repurpose” and “donate” to help them let go. Start by asking which items matter to them most — it may not be what you think. #FathersDay
Give Dad the Gift of Decluttering
Show dear old #Dad that you care on #Father’s Day by helping with a few household tasks, says SpaceWise. You can help out with his lawn and landscaping, install or troubleshoot software, or paint a room. Or you can #organize a closet, #declutter the garage or basement, or help prep the home for #downsizing. Any help you can lend will be a thoughtful gesture that shows you care. And if you find anything that still might be useful to other families, you can easily give it a second life by #donating it to ClothingDonations.org with a #free #donation #pickup. #FathersDay
Help Dad Increase his Decluttering ‘Toss Rate’
Confronting a lifetime of #possessions isn’t an easy challenge for anyone, so how can you help an aging #father #downsize? It’s more than just asking them to tackle their own #clutter, because like most people, they can get distracted by the #memories engendered in an object and lost track of the task. Getting involved in the process — holding up each item, one at a time, for consideration and a decision — results in better “toss rates,” says The Homes I Have Made. “It forced him to truly confront the volume of items he owned. As he fatigued with the decisions, they became easier to make.” #FathersDay
Spending Time Outdoors Is Good for You
#Summer has (unofficially) begun! And the warm weather will urge most people to spend a lot more time outdoors. And whether it’s at the pool, on the beach or in the backyard, time spent in nature has positive effects on the mind and body.
The outdoors improves cognitive function, according to UCLA Health. Research says that time spent in nature boosts curiosity and mental focus, and any time passed in a green space can help reduce stress and improve heart health.
For city dwellers, a park can represent a break from the overstimulation of urban environments, says Heather Eliassen, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Exposure to green space results in mental restoration and increased positive emotions and decreased anxiety and rumination.”
Neuroscientist Rachel Hopman suggests the 20-5-3 rule, Reconnect With Nature reports, to maximize the benefits. It says you should spend 20 minutes outdoors three times a week, five hours per month in a semiwild outdoor location and three days per year in nature.
Outdoor time doesn’t have to be an extreme sport, though. “You don’t need to climb a mountain or drive an hour to a national park to benefit from nature,” says Becoming Minimalist. “Reading a book in a local park, walking your dog, riding your bike or eating lunch on a picnic table are all great ways to connect with the outdoors.”
Build outdoor time into your schedule. You may find that you prefer to be outdoors in the morning, before peak temperatures. And many things you do indoors — having a cup of coffee, checking your phone, and so on — can be done outdoors when the weather permits.
If you wish to spend the day outdoors and want to accomplish something that will shore up your well-being long-term, #clean out the #garage, #yard or #shed. Take whatever you don’t need and #donate it to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #free #donation #pickup.
Eventually, you can make outdoor time a habit. A short walk after dinner or a brief mindful meditation can work wonders for your psyche — as can the power of #decluttering. Try one or both this summer; you will be glad you did.