| Learning how to relax does not have to be difficult | | | | things to donate, 3. things to store, 4. things to |
| or time consuming. Stress wreaks havoc on the | | | | keep)o After disposing of things to throw away and |
| health of our bodies, minds and spirits. Therefore, | | | | donate, put items that need to be stored away. Now |
| relieving stress is critical to our overall wellbeing. As a | | | | go through the box of things to keep and organize, |
| stress management consultant, I recommend five | | | | finding a place for everything. This should be a logical |
| key lifestyle that can make a significant impact on | | | | location near the area where the item will be used |
| your stress level and your ability to relax more easily. | | | | and should stay consistent so everyone in your home |
| 1. Think Positively - Having a positive attitude is key | | | | knows where things belong.o Always complete one |
| to stress reduction as well as to happiness in life. To | | | | room fully before moving to the next room. |
| learn to be more positive and optimistic:o Try to | | | | Decluttering can be done in one day or in small |
| minimize criticism and complaints; instead seek | | | | increments so that it doesn't become overwhelming. |
| opportunities to praise others.o Be as non-judgmental | | | | Choose the method that works best for you |
| as possible and avoid drama by refusing to jump to | | | | personally.o Once you've organized each room, be |
| conclusions or "read-in" to what other people are | | | | sure to return items to their designated place after |
| thinking.o Avoid the need to constantly defend your | | | | each use so that your home remains organized and |
| position which disrupts inner harmony. Instead, seek | | | | to avoid the need for a lot of decluttering in the |
| to surround yourself with positive, supportive | | | | future. Be sure to reward yourself with a treat when |
| people.o Use positive affirmations (brief meaningful | | | | you are finished. Why not make it a soothing home |
| statements) to reinforce your goals and objectives. | | | | accessory that will help you create a serene haven in |
| Notice the way each statement makes you FEEL as | | | | your home - a calming, comfortable space where you |
| you say it and use the ones that elicit the most | | | | can relax and unwind. |
| positive emotional response frequently. | | | | 5. Practice Relaxation Techniques -- In addition to |
| 2. Be Mindful - Mindfulness is a key component in | | | | helping you feel more calm and relaxed, learning |
| managing stress. Being mindful means living fully in the | | | | relaxation techniques also has many health benefits |
| present moment without focusing on regrets from | | | | including lowering blood pressure, regulating digestion, |
| the past or worries about the future. To help you be | | | | helping you to get a better night's sleep and boosting |
| more mindful:o Try changing your focus to relaxing | | | | the immune system. These techniques are fun and |
| and "being" sometimes vs. constant action or | | | | easy to learn and regular practice will teach your |
| "doing".o Seek times of solitude which will promote | | | | body to relax faster and easier.o Deep Breathing - |
| inner peace and relaxation as well as creativity.o Try | | | | When stressed we tend to breathe with shallow, |
| a walking meditation. Get out in nature and as you | | | | rapid breaths which trigger the body's stress |
| walk really notice all of the sights, sounds and scents | | | | response. Taking just a few full, deep breaths can |
| around you which will help keep your thoughts in the | | | | activate the body's relaxation response. Be sure as |
| present moment. In addition, noticing nature's beauty | | | | you practice deep breathing to breathe slowly and |
| and abundance can help to minimize any problems | | | | deeply expanding your belly first and then your |
| you may be encountering and make them seem | | | | chest.o Meditation - Learning meditation is intimidating |
| smaller and more manageable. | | | | to many people because they think it is difficult and |
| 3. Self-Nurture - Self-Nurturing is learning to love and | | | | time-consuming. This does not have to be the case. |
| take better care of yourself. Continually putting | | | | Doing a basic meditation for 10-15 minutes each day |
| yourself at the bottom of your list of priorities will | | | | is highly beneficial (before getting out of bed in the |
| result in stress, burnout, exhaustion and resentment. | | | | morning is best). Simply sit or lie down and get very |
| We are unable to be at our best for others, unless | | | | comfortable, begin to focus on your breathing and |
| we take time for ourselves to rest, relax and renew. | | | | clear your mind. When thoughts come into your mind, |
| Self-nurturing is not selfish, it is sensible. To | | | | briefly acknowledge the thought and then let it go. |
| incorporate more self-nurturing into your life try the | | | | It's that simple! If you'd like to add a mantra (word |
| following:o Pamper yourself with small indulgences | | | | or statement) to your meditation to help you stay |
| that you enjoy personally (simple pleasures) | | | | focused, try "I am" as you breathe in and "calm" or |
| throughout the day.o Follow your bliss by learning to | | | | "relaxed" as you exhale.o Visualization - Visualization |
| use your natural talents and gifts, by choosing | | | | and Guided Imagery are simple, gentle, yet powerful |
| hobbies you enjoy and following your dreams.o | | | | techniques in which you focus and direct your |
| Create healthy boundaries and personal priorities. | | | | imagination for a desired result. Guided Imagery is |
| Learn to pace yourself, listen to your body and | | | | actually much more than visualization alone because it |
| realize that saying no at times is essential. | | | | seeks to engage all of your senses and evoke |
| 4. Declutter - Having excess clutter in your home, | | | | feelings. Different types of imagery can be used for |
| office and/or vehicle can significantly add to your | | | | relaxation or as a complementary therapy for healing |
| stress level. Clutter can rob you of time looking for | | | | from injury or illness. Many studies have shown the |
| items such as keys, tools, shoes, etc. that could be | | | | effectiveness of Guided Imagery and it is now being |
| used for more pleasant activities as well as cause us | | | | used in many hospitals throughout the United States. |
| to worry about managing the clutter itself. It may | | | | Learning how to relax is essential to living a happier, |
| also cause additional stress and embarrassment when | | | | healthier life and should be an integral part of your |
| friends and loved ones visit and can even be | | | | wellness program. There are many other relaxing |
| responsible for excess financial strain (such as late | | | | therapies available to choose from including such |
| charges) because you are unable to locate bills that | | | | things as massage therapy, aromatherapy, music |
| need to be paid. Its important to realize that | | | | therapy and journaling to name a few. Both stress |
| decluttering does not have to mean going without or | | | | and relaxation are very personal to the individual. |
| lacking the things you desire, but instead should be | | | | What one person finds stressful isn't necessarily |
| viewed as keeping only the best (things you truly | | | | stressful to another and in the same way what one |
| love, truly use or that have sentimental value). To | | | | person finds relaxing isn't necessarily relaxing to |
| reduce clutter in your environment follow these | | | | another. Therefore, it is best to sample the different |
| simple steps:o Go through room by room and divide | | | | therapies, techniques and treatments available to find |
| your items into four bins (1. things to throw away, 2. | | | | the balance that works best for you. |