Here is One Way to Protect Your Mental Wellness

I have been in such an organizational mood lately. I don’t know if it’s the warm summer-like weather we have been having in February or maybe just the fact that the lack of it was driving me crazy.

As I was cleaning out drawers and getting rid of old stacks of papers, I came across so many things our girls had left behind, things from their child-hood. I found their old Awana books from church, full of their little notes and smiley stickers. I came across their report cards, their volleyball sched-ules and pictures of them at all ages. I could not help but shed a few tears because I miss those days!

When they were younger it seemed like decisions consisted of what to wear to school, comparing how many stickers they earned for their Awana books, and hoping they got to play in the upcoming volleyball tournament, and oh yes their hair was a major topic of interest. As the years passed, the decisions and challenges become much more complicated and outcomes were certainly not what we expected or wished for at times. But as most of us know life can in-deed throw us some curve balls. Life is not simple by any means nor is it tidy and wrapped up in a pretty little package with a big bow. Which makes it even more important to keep a check on your mental and emotional wellness because it will indeed affect your physical wellness.

When life seems messy and complex your physical wellness, as well as your mental wellness is at risk. The chaos of life can make you feel fatigued phys-ically and mentally. It can make you less efficient, anxious, and joyless and can increase your stress level.

Long term stress can contribute to many chronic illnesses such as heart dis-ease, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, obesity, autoimmune disease and cancer. We have very little, to no control over life circumstances, so letting go of the urge to control everything may indeed be freeing and good for your health. If you have a cluttered, disorganized living space, letting go of the stresses of life such as finances, relationships, family challenges, and other areas of your life can be virtually impossible.

If becoming a little more organized in your home or place of business can help reduce stress in your life, then it’s a no-brainer. When it is your power to reduce a little stress in your life, then why not set that as a time-bound goal. If you are like me this might seem overwhelming at first but if you make a list and check off as you go, you will indeed get the job done.

Here are just a few suggestions:

» Clean out drawers

» Throw away unimportant papers that have been in a box for years

» File, file. File: Get rid of piles of papers, file them in a filing cabinet so you can get your hands on them quickly when needed

» Give away those clothes that have been hanging in your closet so long that they have gathered dust. You are not going to wear them. Give them to someone who will

» Baskets: I love baskets. Baskets are great in the bathroom for soap, toilet paper, brushes and combs etc… baskets in the office for copy paper, pens and pencils. It just looks more organized.

» Put your cell phone in the same pocket of your purse each time, or at the same place in your house when you lay it down.

» Clean out your car: Once again a basket is great in the car for random things that might end up there.

» Designate a place for everything: When you need tape, stamps, gift bags, you know exactly where they are

Happy organizing. See you in the gym!!