Fit + Fab Challenge: Tips for Simplifying Your Life
by Denise Austin | April 5, 2021 | General
As employees, spouses and caretakers, it seems like there’s always something demanding our time and attention. When stress levels soar, healthy habits often go out the window. Stress is often the result of time deficiency, so to help prevent stressful situations from happening, try to simplify your life. The following will help you to keep tabs on your time – courtesy of my Stop The Clock Plan:
Simplify Your Life:
- Get organized. An hour spent organizing your office or living quarters can save you a lot of frustration and make you more efficient and productive. Lists also help. At the start of each month I sit down with my calendar to plot out the coming weeks. It only about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Set boundaries. Many of us pride ourselves on our productivity and time spent helping others. But you need to be realistic. Think about what you’re actually able to do, and do well, in the time that you have. When you try to do too much, you may end up cutting corners, which can lead to aggravating mistakes. Instead, try limiting yourself to a few activities and do them well. It’s hard to say no, especially when you’re used to saying yes. But your guilt won’t last as long as the stress that comes from overextending yourself and not doing anything well.
- Eliminate hidden time eaters. Take a close look at your routine to determine where you may be wasting precious minutes. Do you make multiple trips to the grocery store during the week or spend a lot of time getting dressed in the morning? Learn to streamline your routine, and you’ll find the time you need to do things like exercise, eat right and get enough sleep – all important for a balanced life!
- Learn to delegate. Whether you’re at home or in the office, don’t hesitate to ask for help. It isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a smart way to free yourself up for more important tasks, such as exercising or providing balanced meals for your family. At home, I used to give my girls the job of setting the table (and learned not to care if the spoons were in the wrong place). After dinner, my husband Jeff still pitches in by washing pots and putting the dishes in the dishwasher. He’s happy to do it – by now, I don’t even have to ask!
I hope these suggestions help – try adding them in one at a time to your lifestyle, and soon enough, you’ll be more efficient and productive – and less stressed!
