Stress Awareness Month
Fifty years ago only bridges were stressed. Today, stress is a part of society where there is too much to do, mountains of information, too little time and too many daily choices pulling us in too many directions.
Stress is manifested in a multitude of physical ailments—ulcers, headaches, high blood pressure, heart attacks and premature death. According to Stress, Inc., a website created by the Columbia School of Journalism, stress has evolved from an engineering term to a cultural phenomenon. No one is immune. We all experience some degree of stress in our daily lives.
Americans spend over $4 billion a year on over-the-counter pain relievers for headaches. Prevention costs nothing. Individuals who know how to control their stress are apt to have more enthusiasm, feel healthier, work smarter and be more productive.
According to Judith Kirk, a Plainville, CT based professional organizer, there are things you can do to minimize stress. Here are a few tips to keep you on an even keel:
Plan
Plan ahead. For every 15 minutes spent in planning you will save an hour in the execution stage.
Circadian
Know your rhythms and work with them. Schedule routine tasks for your low-energy periods and important tasks when you are bright.
Simplify
Find life’s magic by simplifying and organizing the day-to-day processes.
Time-wasters
Be ruthless with those little moments that have nothing to do with your priorities. Develop a mindset that judges every activity in terms of whether it brings you closer to your goals.
Tools
Organize your tools and use them wisely. A desk is not a storage depot. It is a tool to expedite the receiving and processing of information. Sticky notes were a great invention, but not a means of decoration. Using the right tool for the job makes it so much easier.
Concentrate
Schedule uninterrupted blocks of time to concentrate on the task at hand. Make appointment with yourself to accomplish goals.
Trustworthiness
Work with people who keep their word. And, keep yours! When you know you can count on people to do what they say they will do, you can in turn make commitments and trust that things will happen.
Relax
Stress depletes the immune system. Learn to relax and seek balance in your life.
Kirk expresses to all her clients that laughter is the best and cheapest medicine to relieve stress. Why does it feel so good to laugh? Because endorphins are released from the brain every time you do it. Endorphins have a morphine-like effect and are often referred to as the body’s own opiates. Endorphin pushers are smiling and laughing, exercising, positive thinking especially about yourself, connecting with family and friends, celebrations, receiving recognition and enjoying nature.
The work of a professional organizer entails time management, paper control, spatial design, stress management and disaster preparedness. Kirk frequently encounters clients that experience stress due to time constraints, crowded work areas and an increase in paperwork. She holds forth this challenge to all of us. Learn stress management skills while simplifying your environment. Visit www.organizingresources.com to learn more.
