Organize These Areas for Instant Stress Relief
The Relationship Between Home Organization and Stress
For some people, tidying up is a natural stress response. It provides a sense of control, and simple, repetitive actions like folding can be calming. When used in moderation, it's a safe and effective coping mechanism that results in a clean and organized home.
However, some home organization projects can induce more stress than peace. (Hint: the dreaded closet overhaul.) To ensure that your tidying-up activities are productive and stress-free, use this list of tasks that are best done during times of stress.
BONUS: Keep reading to see how to use mindfulness to create calm moments at home.
Organize Your Way to Calm
Getting your home clean and organized during the holidays can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to clean up for yourself and your family, but you also have to prepare for guests – which can be a lot of work. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't worry – start small with one or more of the following tips to ease your way into the organizing mood.
Kitchen Utensil Drawer
If you're feeling overwhelmed, organize a small area like a kitchen utensil drawer for a few minutes. It's easier to sort through and group similar objects. Sorting your utensils before organizing them requires little effort and can be calming. This will give you a quick win and a sense of accomplishment. Consider donating or discarding duplicates to streamline the process, free up space in your drawer, and make it easier to find what you need.
Linen Closet
Simple, repetitive actions—like folding bath towels—can be soothing and calming to the mind and body. One such activity that can be done mindfully is folding bath towels and bed sheets. Start by taking a moment to set an intention for calmness during the task. Think about how this will be an easy, relaxing way to organize the linen closet while creating a calm space in your head. When finished, enjoy the sense of order and calm, clean, freshly folded towels and sheets bring to your space.
Bedroom Nightstand
Tidying up your bedside table is a great idea for two reasons. Firstly, it's a small surface and should not be too challenging to clean. Secondly, clearing the area around your bed can potentially improve your sleep quality. To optimize your bedside table, consider keeping only the essentials: a book you're currently reading, a glass of water, and perhaps a small lamp or bud vase. Moving your phone away from your bed is crucial to avoid late-night scrolling, as it can disrupt your sleep. Make it a habit to tidy up your nightstand each morning or night before bed and start the next day off on the right foot.
Play Area or Family Room
If you're short on time, a quick clean-up of high-traffic areas like the playroom or family room can make a big difference in how you feel. Start by picking up any items out of place and returning them to their designated spots. This can include toys, books, and other miscellaneous items. Consider investing in storage solutions like baskets or bins to help keep items organized and out of sight. This can reduce clutter and make cleaning up in the future a breeze.
Use a microfiber cloth to quickly dust surfaces like coffee tables, end tables, and shelves. This will not only remove any visible dust but also help to improve air quality in the room. Vacuum or sweep the floors to remove any dirt or debris. Tidying up your living space in just a few minutes can instantly banish stress and create a more inviting and peaceful environment for yourself and your family.
Home Office Desk
Many can agree on how powerful a clean, organized workspace can be and its positive effect on our productivity. You think more clearly and feel less overwhelmed in general. As always, begin by clearing off any unnecessary clutter from your desktop. This can include old papers, empty water bottles, or other items accumulated over time. Once your desktop is cleared, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe to remove any dust or bacteria.
Organize your items by priority and frequency of use. For example, keep your computer and phone within easy reach, while less frequently used items can be stored in a drawer. Use desk organizers to keep your items in their place. This can include a pen holder, file tray, or desktop inbox. Label your drawers and files to make it easy to find what you need quickly. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your desk, putting away any items that have been used and clearing off any new clutter.
Use Mindfulness in Everyday Tasks
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help us create calm and peaceful moments in our daily lives, particularly at home. Bring mindfulness to everyday activities like washing dishes or folding laundry. Focus on the sensations of the water or the fabric, and try to be fully present in the moment.
Here is a helpful article from Harvard Medical School on Evoking calm: Practicing mindfulness in daily life helps.
This Holiday Season…
Don't let holiday stress take over your life. Contact Home Perspective today and let me help you organize your way to calmness.
Contact Ashley at ashleyl.ingraham@gmail.com or click the button below to get in touch.
Ashley Ingraham is a very organized Mom of a daughter in Baltimore, Maryland. Always creative she was a double major of Studio Art and Education at Furman University and spent the beginning of her career as a teacher in Baltimore City. After staying home with her daughter she founded Home Perspective to share her Organization skills and life experience to make others homes and lives better. Her business has been featured in Baltimore Magazine, Oprah & Entrepreneur. When not busy helping people organize their lives she can be found at concerts all over the country or busy raising her tween daughter.