There are so many ways that we can reduce our stress levels in life. I recently published a post where I shared ten tips to reduce stress and that post merely scratched the surface.
Even though it barely scratched the surface the tips are all very effective ways to lower stress levels. I know because I used them all when I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed myself recently and they helped me!
Recently I was having a discussion on an unrelated topic that led me to realize one thing that we can do to relieve the stress from our lives in our home or office area.
I was having a discussion with someone about kids who are easily overstimulated, a common occurrence these days with the busy and hectic lifestyles that we have.
The discussion led to the physical environment where kids spend time, primarily at home and in childcare or school settings. If there are toys, books, things all over it is likely to upset and overstimulate a child who has issues with stimulation. Busy walls can create the same reactions.
They will act out more because they are feeling stress and upset and they don’t know how to express that. The child might act out aggressively toward other children, act destructively towards property or even act out in ways that are self destructive.
A cute and happy playroom or preschool room can actually have the opposite affect on some children and cause massive dis-ease. The simple act of reducing “things” and having a simple and uncluttered room can help a child feel and act better.
We can take this same concept and apply it to our own environment. If we can remove some of the busyness of our home or office area we might notice that we feel less stressed and more relaxed.
Have you ever noticed that after you clean or organize a room you feel more at peace?
Take a few minutes today and look around the rooms that you spend the most time in and see if they might be causing you mental distress. If they are take a few steps today to do something about it. You might not be able to do everything that you want today – but you can do something!
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Absolutely right Stacy!
The less the clutter, the more organized you feel and the less stress, anxiety, or tension do you experience. This does happen with me so often, and I literally need to get up and clear up things before I sit to work- and it does wonders with my writing.
Simple things, but it works for sure!
Thanks for sharing
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Hi Harleena,
It really does do wonders! Sure we can “tune out” a mess but it does affect how we feel!
Stacy
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It’s amazing how much stress can be eliminated by reducing clutter. Also, reducing our outside cluttered space gives our inside space (emotional, spiritual) room to expand and grow. Thanks for sharing!
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Hi Martha,
It’s amazing how much the outside environment affects us on the inside, isn’t it?
Stacy
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I am an organization freak but I always contributed it to a lot of other factors. But yes, there is a queer habit of mine that when I am really, really angry and jogging it out is not an option; I scrub floors in the house, do the laundry and then am out on a mission to clear out the clutter in my purse! Always helps. Not only have I ended up doing a lot of work; but I somehow learn to just let go of the stress associated with the unpleasant situation.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Hi Hajra,
Sometimes when I get frustrated cleaning does wonders! When I was single you could always tell when I had been angry – clean house!
Stacy
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Stacy, I would love to clean my office, but I keep putting it off. You are right about order and calm. I am AHDH and the disorder in here does cause me disease. I just have to do it. Thanks.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Hi Ann,
I think that in a way it is a vicious cycle. Clutter makes us feel off inside and then the procrastination seems to be the next natural step when feeling that way!
Stacy
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Stress is hard to deal with, but possible. Just have to plan better our days, and boom! Some of it solved
Need to check out that other article there, Stacey.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
Samuel,
Planning does make a difference!
Stacy
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Great tip! It’s all about being able to work up the motivation, though. Perhaps share with us how you do it?
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Hi Alicia,
It does take motivation, and other times it takes sheer will power. Sometimes just deciding to declutter for a few minutes will get us in the mode and we end up going longer!
Stacy
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i have a good old clutter clear about once every 6 weeks, afterwards i feel more organized less stressed and anxious, its a similar feeling to when you have a lot of hair cut off is that makes sense
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
I think it’s helpful that you have a routine, every 6 weeks is probably a good time frame!
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What a great post! I completely agree that tidying your space can really reduce your stress level. I also find that it makes me more present-moment focused and appreciative of all that I have (and that I get to work from home).
Thanks for this, Stacy. Great blog!
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Thank you, Pamela! I agree with you it does help us to be more appreciative!
Stacy
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Thanks Stacy for these insights. removing the clutter is definitely a must. Growing up with a compulsive hoarder probably helped me to realize just how bad clutter can be. I get along just fine without all that stuff that people think they need, and it helps me to keep myself ballanced. Besides, the less stuff you have, the less space you need, which helps save on the outbound cash flow (thats a huge stress reliever too…)!
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Hi James,
It’s hard to live in the hoarding environment – and it can be easy to pick up on those habits. I know that I have the natural bent towards hanging onto things for sentimental value.
Stacy
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Hey Stacy,
You’re so on point! I know I always feel a sigh of relief when I clean away the clutter and get organized. Super great tip! Thanks.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Hi Morgan,
A sigh of relief! That’s exactly it!
Stacy
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I agree with you Stacy..
the lesser the clutter..
the lesser the STRESS..
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
So true – it’s just that simple!
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Yes, I notice a certain level of serenity or goodness once I get to organize my room. I guess I’ll follow your ideas in this post.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Joanna,
I like your choice of words, serenity and goodness!
Stacy
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Even on an “unstressful” days, when you see something that is messy and full of eyesores, it really makes your stress! I guess it’s pretty right to do some decluttering at times because it will help to lessen our weary minds. A conducive environment for relaxation and peaceful leaving will starts on a clean space.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Hi Nichole,
That is so true, it is extremely hard to relax or feel peaceful in a mess. It does start with a clean space!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
One of my 2012 stress management goals was to get more organized. I have been working on it a lot but have found that it is an ongoing never ending goal. My child’s montessori school really advocates good organization. That is our next frontier–organizing my child’s stuff.
Kristi
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Hi Kristen,
It is definitely an ongoing process! My stuff, my kids’ stuff, general family stuff, dog stuff…
Stacy
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Environment can really determine the way people feel. Your idea is simple but I know that it really works.
Nice post.
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Stacy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Thank you, Danijela!
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I keep my office desk spotless for the same reasons you outlined Stacy. Less clutter, fewer distractions, and all that. That being said I sometimes look up at my large empty desk and feel guilty about wasting all that space…
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Stacy Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Perhaps you could fill a little bit of the space, too much isn’t good either!
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Stress is a part of life and for us to be able to minimize it is a great thing. Thanks for these tips, I will definitely use them to reduce my stress levels.
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Stacy Reply:
April 1st, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Hi Mark,
It really does work!
Stacy
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If we keep our surrounding clean, definitely it will help you to keep your stress at bay. It has helped me to achieve this. I keep my office clean and tidy.
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Stacy Reply:
March 30th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Balu,
It really does, I’m glad that you’ve benefited from it!
Stacy
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Hmmm; I tend to find myself using this kind of thing as displacement activity. It’s amazing how much more frequently I clean my bathroom when I’m trying to write something that is stressing me out. I’m not sure a clear toilet ever makes me feel any less stressed, but sometimes all you need is to be able to take a break from what you are doing whilst still feeling that you are being productive.
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[...] One Simple Way to Reduce Your Stress – There are many things that we can do for ourselves to reduce our stress levels but this one tip may be something that you are not even aware of! [...]
I dunno. Always felt like the people who are the messiest are the ones who generally don’t care about such things and so it wouldn’t be a source of stress for them (and so no need to clean). It’s the anal and ocd ones with the cleanest living spaces that are the more easily stressed by how messed up their place is.
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Thank you for the great article. I have been on a stress reduction mission the last few months. One of the things that I have been doing is letting go of trying to be everything to everyone. The second is exercising. It is doing wonders for me.
Cynthia
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Stacy Reply:
July 10th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Hi Cynthia,
Both of those are very effective ways to reduce stress!
Stacy
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