Home Organization Tips

Five stress-reducing strategies for the holidays

December is one of the most stressful times of year. If you don't
watch out, you could end up crying and in a terrible mess of anxiety.
Here are five things you can do now to reduce the clutter and stress
at the holidays:

* *Make a list.* Whether it's a grocery list, gift shopping list, or
list of things you need to do --- write it down. Once it's out of
your head and onto a sheet of paper, you'll stop cluttering up
your mind with the items and stressing out about trying to
remember it all.

* *Check it twice ...* or as often as you need. Once you've made
your lists, be sure to review them and/or bring them along with
you. A list isn't good to you if you don't have it when you need
it, where you need it. A to-do list should be reviewed regularly,
until all items are completed.

* *Find out what's naughty.* Walk around your home and/or office
with a laundry basket or box and pick up any items that are out of
place, and then put them away. Do you have a used glass on your
desk that should be returned to the kitchen? Do you have shoes in
the middle of the living room floor that belong in your closet?
Reduce the stress caused by visual clutter by putting everything
back in its place.

* *Find out what's nice.* Take time each day to enjoy some down
time. If you meditate, meditate. If you do yoga, do yoga. If you
simply want to sit and drink your coffee in silence for 10 or 15
minutes, do that. Give your brain some much needed time off each
day during this busy season.

* *Get ready to travel out of town.* If you're traveling or even if
you're staying put, now is the time to confirm all of your
reservations --- travel, hotel, dinner, movie --- or those of your
guests. The less you leave up in the air, the less you'll worry
about your plans between now and then. RSVP to parties, find out
what you're supposed to bring to holiday dinners, or even learn
which friends are coming into town you'll want to see while
they're visiting their relatives. Get everything on the calendar
and be ready for as much as you can.

*Like this site? Buy Erin Rooney Doland's _Unclutter Your Life in One
Week [1]_ from Amazon.com [2] today.*

Links:
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[1] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/143915046X/unclutterer-rss-20/
[2] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=unclutterer-20&path=subst/home/home.html