Yesterday, I mentioned that your surroundings affect the way you feel. Today, I want you to look at your home environment and see if there are additional improvements you can make to create a calm environment. Here are some ideas:
Easy:
- Take stock of a room in your home and look at areas that need improvement, organization, or inspiration. Jot down ideas that come to mind–something small that can be accomplished today, or calendar time for further research or action.
Moderate:
- Organize a bedside table, bookshelf, desk, or kitchen counter. Get rid of clutter and reorganize with an eye for aesthetics. Put a favorite object on prominent display.
Challenging:
- Consider a home improvement project! Do you have something in mind already? Start researching cost and logistics. Need inspiration? So many options online, but Houzz & Apartment Therapy are great places to start!
What was your most recent home improvement project? Did it lift your mood?
Our surroundings impact the way we feel and disorganization leads to frustration and inefficiency! Even small changes can make a big difference–here are some ideas:
Easy:
- Tidy up after getting ready for the day–even 10 minutes of straightening up will make your environment feel more calm and peaceful.
Moderate:
- Clean out one drawer, preferably one you use often. Chances are, you’ll appreciate the improved organization and efficiency, and you may be motivated to continue!
- Clean out your car. (I guess this could actually be Easy, Moderate, or Challenging, just depends. . .)
Challenging:
- Look at the organization in your home–are there changes you can make so it’s easier to keep things put away, or do you need to pare down and donate surplus items?
- Choose a closet to organize–sort, donate/discard, and reorganize.
Click here for a lifehack article on how to change the behaviors that lead to clutter & disorganization.
What did you do today to get organized?
Here’s another reason exercise is important: exercise improves sleep! According to Gregg Jacobs, Ph.D., author of Say Goodnight to Insomnia:
- We sleep more deeply and soundly after exercise because we need more physical restoration.
- Exercise improves sleep by regulating body temperature–body temp rises during exercise then drops a few hours later, and this drop in body temperature makes it easier to fall asleep. Exercise has the greatest benefit when you exercise 3-6 hours before bedtime, but any time during the day helps (except right before bed).
If you’re physically active, have you ever looked for a correlation between your exercise schedule and how well you sleep? If sleep is a struggle, try charting your exercise and sleep quality. You can use the “Sleep Notes” in the Sleep Cycle app for this.
If physical activity isn’t already a regular part of your week, it needs to be! Time to review:
Exercise today, even if it’s only a few minutes of stretching, and work on building physical activity into your daily routine!
If you need motivation, check out the “Stretch Away Muscle Pain” apps. I like the “Neck Pain” app–it’s $3.99, but I think it’s worth it! It’s easy to use and has a “stretch progression”–you build up over 2 weeks to a maintenance level.
Need more motivation? Check out Fitocracy–it’s free and you can use it on your computer, iPhone or Android. You get workout ideas based on your goals, track your performance, “game” to level-up, and share with other “Fitocrats” for motivation & encouragement!
You can find something easy if you’re a beginner, but can also challenge yourself. The app makes suggestions and other Fitocrats can post their workouts for inspiration. When you first sign up, you’ll receive an email for a challenge that involves just 15 minutes a day and has several workouts to choose from. A great way to get started!
Have fun and get moving! What did you do today?
Part of taking care of yourself is taking care of your finances–most people feel better when they spend their money conscientiously.
Also, if you’re on a tight budget, planning ahead helps decrease stress. Here are some ideas:
Easy:
- Before you make any purchases today, simply ask yourself, “Do I really want this? Or is there a more economical option I might consider?” You may not change your purchasing behavior, which is fine, because you are becoming more mindful of your spending.
- Are you spending money on things that are no longer important to you? Think about any automatic payments or annual membership fees you have–are these still a priority? This could be anything from extras on your cell phone bill to club memberships. Make a note of items you should reconsider and put these on your to-do list.
Moderate:
- Take action on the second item above–start canceling services that aren’t important to you anymore!
- Establish an action plan to save for something you want. It can be as small as dinner out or as extravagant as a fabulous trip or home remodel–the important thing is to start setting financial goals!
Ambitious:
- If you have a budget, review and revise your budget. If you don’t have a budget, look at how you track your finances. What can you learn from how you earn/spend/invest your money?
- If you have investments, review your investments; if you have a financial advisor or analyst, consider scheduling a meeting to review your investment strategy.
Click here for an interesting article on “money scripts”–the unconscious beliefs we have about money. Or for a more in-depth analysis of money & happiness, check out Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending.
This tip is straightforward–do your best at one thing today!
It can be something that’s already a part of your day–just give it more time and attention. Or you can take on a new challenge and give it your all–it’s up to you.
The important thing is, on at least one thing today, take your time, don’t multitask, and do your best!
P.S. This is another step toward learning mindfulness!
