How many times each morning do you hit your snooze button? Did you know that instead of helping you get a few extra minutes of sleep, that snooze cycle most likely makes you feel MORE tired than you would have if you'd just gotten up at your first alarm? It's true!
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Have you ever connected the amount of clutter in your life with how anxious you are? They may be more related than you think.
I'll admit that I always liked having stuff. I think it made me feel like I was prepared for whatever might come. In some ways, that made sense, but in others, it didn't. I mean, what was having 10 extra shirts I never wore preparing me for?
I don't believe I ever reached hoarder status, but I was definitely a packrat from the time I was a kid. I had a hard time letting go of things if I thought they might be useful someday or if they had any sentimental value.
This behavior continued when I moved out on my own and after I got married. My husband had picked up many hoarder behaviors during his life. Letting go of anything at all is difficult for him.
As the stuff accumulated in our home, my stress level increased, but it took me a long time to tie the two together.
The Constant To-Do List
I once heard/read someone telling how clutter was basically a constantly visible to-do list, and that really resonated with me. Putting away the stacks on the dining room table was a to-do item, as were organizing the pile of shoes by the doorway, finally catching up with the dishes, and finding a place for the random books scattered on various surfaces.
Seeing each of these to-do items every day was an unconscious reminder to my brain that I needed to do something about them. It was a silent stress that was barely acknowledged but was there nonetheless. Over time, the reminders turned to frustration, guilt, and self-loathing.
Why couldn't I keep up with the clutter and the housework? I felt like a failure, and that only worsened my mental health.
I finally decided to do something about it and started getting rid of excess stuff. It was a struggle because I still had those attachments to useful and sentimental items. Plus, I couldn't get rid of anything my husband wanted.
But as I decluttered my life, I realized something – I didn't miss ANY of the items I got rid of! I sold my favorite childhood book series and my collection of model horses I'd accumulated from the time I was eight years old. And rather than regretting it, I was happy someone else could enjoy them. Letting go of the possession did not erase the memories!
And then, we moved to the first place that wasn't owned by family. Our previous homes had been already filled with stuff when we moved in, but this one was a clean slate. And I remember how I felt the first few weeks before we'd moved everything. I had a very small visible to-do list, and it was so extremely peaceful!
That is when I really got hooked on minimalism.
Being Able to Find Things
The next big benefit of having less stuff is you spend less time digging through what you have, looking for that elusive item you know is around somewhere.
For example, looking through a stack of mail and paperwork for a bill that needed to be paid was a common occurrence in our home. We had an exorbitant amount of paperwork. Some of it was necessary, and some wasn't. And none of it needed to be in piles on the dining room table for months on end.
I've developed a habit of sorting through the mail as soon as I get it, and all the junk goes right into the trash. There is no benefit to setting it all on the table to sort later. Junk mail does not deserve one moment of your time, much less two or three – or however many times you end up paging through it while looking for something else.
Not being able to find something you need is stressful! And having less clutter to get in the way of finding that item only reduces that stress.
Having a Company-Ready Home
I know I'm not the only person who stresses out about having people over because I feel like my house isn't clean enough.
Before minimalism, I was absolutely mortified if someone showed up unannounced. I didn't want anyone to see inside my house! And I don't want to think how much anxiety that gave me. Even if no one was there, I stressed about "what if" someone showed up.
Simply having fewer dishes has made a world of difference. I hope I'm not the only one guilty of letting them pile on the counter, but now that I only have a place setting for four people, they can only pile up so much before I'm forced to wash them. And it's easier to commit to washing them every day.
Now, I'm not saying my house is spotless all the time, but with less stuff, I am able to keep it at a point where I have people over every week, and when my parents made a surprise trip to see me, all I did prior to their arrival was fill the dishwasher.
Altogether, these three benefits of living a more minimalist lifestyle have reduced a lot of stress and anxiety in my life. And I by no means call myself an extreme minimalist. I will probably never live with only 50 possessions or cull my closet down to 25 items. However, I recognize that the people who've done those things have benefited greatly.
Minimalism is unique for each person, and it's up to you to find the level at which you're comfortable.
You might need a little bit of a push to get started, but once you experience the advantages, you'll be more inspired to keep going on your own.
If you need help for that first push, try these methods that will challenge you a little without being too overwhelming:
- Get rid of one item every day for a year (or seven items a week if that's easier)
- Cull 10% of something – clothing, movies, dishes, books, toys
- Put items you don't use often in a box, write the date on it, and anything still in the box after a year get donated or sold
- Turn your clothes hangars backwards on the bar, then put them back the right way after you wear that item – anything on hangars that are still backward after six months (or after going through all the temperatures in your area) gets donated
The main thing to remember with minimalism is it's a process. You didn't accumulate all the stuff in a day or even a year, and it's not going to leave overnight either. Don't add to your anxiety or mental stress by putting too much emphasis on it. Do what you can when you can, and let minimalism bless you!
Did you know you can have info like this sent right to you and not miss a single tip?
I saw my first mosquito of the year the other day. There really should be more of a break between the snow melting and the mosquitoes arriving, wouldn't you agree?
Since you're reading this post, you probably already know you should avoid conventional bug sprays. The ingredients are almost all toxic, and DEET is gaining a reputation as a poison to be avoided at all costs.
Certain agencies encourage an abundance of caution regarding mosquito-borne illnesses. However, the reality is that the insecticides recommended to deal with the problem are actually far more dangerous.
West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the U.S. yet very few mosquitoes carry it. And even if you are somehow bitten by an infected mosquito, your chance of becoming infected and severely ill are around 1%.
So weigh the risks – way less than a 1% chance of illness OR guaranteed poisons in your system?
But even though mosquito bites are more of a nuisance than a health threat, no one wants to deal with mosquitoes or any other biting insects, so what can you do that is effective but also natural?
1 – Eat Garlic
While this has not been proven (and many known natural remedies have never been "proven"), I have noticed the effect of eating garlic myself. When I first started cooking, before I learned much about herbs and spices, I used a LOT of garlic. After some time, I noticed that I no longer got many mosquito bites.
Some time later, my garlic consumption dwindled, and the mosquitoes started to bother me more again.
While, again, this isn't proven, and it might not work for everyone, garlic is extremely good for you. Adding extra to your diet is certainly not going to hurt, even if it doesn't make a difference to the mosquitoes. You're not out anything by trying.
2 – Essential Oils
Many bugs don't enjoy the scent of certain essential oils, so these oils can create an unwelcoming atmosphere.
Some of the best known bug-disliked oils include citronella, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint. Different bugs dislike different scents more than others. For instance, mosquitoes really don't like citronella, but peppermint is better for deterring ants.
There are a few ways to use essential oils to keep comfortable outdoors. First, you can drop oils onto your clothing (be careful with light colored clothing). The fabric will act as a passive diffuser, but it might be most effective to place the oils on areas near bare skin.
Second, if you'll be in a limited area and have electrical access, you can diffuse oils to create an atmosphere around you. Oils linger in the air for quite some time, so the protection can last a while.
Third, and my favorite, you can make a spray. Choose whatever oils will work best for the insects you wish to deter, put 20-30 drops total in a small spray bottle, add a splash of witch hazel and apple cider vinegar, and top off the bottle with water. Spray on you or around the area where you'll be.
3 - Plants
I already mentioned how bugs dislike certain plants, and this applies to more than just their essential oil form. Plant lemongrass around your patio area, oregano in your garden, and mint near your doorways. The plants won't give off the concentrated scent of essential oils, but they're always there, and it requires no extra effort on your part.
Other Things to Consider
Your blood type, skin or clothing color, and alcohol consumption can all affect how attracted mosquitoes are to you.
Mosquitoes demonstrate a preference for people with type O blood. They are also attracted to darker colors, so wearing light-colored clothing can help. And if you've consumed alcohol, you may also attract more mosquitoes.
If you'd like to get your hands on the most effective essential oils, use this link.
This is one of only a couple oil brands that distills its oils to maintain ALL their beneficial properties.
"Always consult your doctor" – this phrase is everywhere.
We are told to consult our doctors before starting any exercise program, when making dietary changes, when beginning a new supplement or health modality.
Even in my certified natural health professional and certified health coach courses, we were told to use this phrase. In this situation, it wasn't so much because it's actually necessary but more-so to protect ourselves from legal liability.
Now, I'm not denying there are times when you do need to consult a doctor ... but it's NOT all the time!
If you are a reasonably healthy person, you can begin an exercise program without consulting your doctor. Just pay attention to your body and stop or slow down if it's telling you it's too much. Same with dietary changes and new supplements or health modalities – pay attention to your body.
Your body knows better what is good for it than your doctor does.
The hard truth is doctors know very little about health. Hear me out. Most medical training focuses on anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. That means they learn how the parts of the body fit together, their proper function, causes and effects of diseases and injuries, and how to use medications to fix problems.
In case you didn't catch it, their entire education trains them to identify health problems (good) and fix them with medications (bad).
They don't learn about nutrition. They don't learn about herbs or homeopathics or essential oils. They don't learn about the emotional and spiritual components of health. They don't learn how lifestyle modifications and ingredient awareness can eliminate so many common health issues.
Is it any surprise then that when you go to the doctor with any health complaint, you are almost always prescribed a drug? It could be a simple headache, and you just need to hydrate and stay away from artificial fragrance, but you'll walk out of the doctor's office with a prescription instead.
I know someone whose doctor offered only a total knee replacement as a solution to an injury. This person had no pain prior to the injury and does not want a knee replacement, but the doctor looked at one x-ray, saw there wasn't enough cartilage in the knee, and went right to knee replacement. He never examined the patient beyond the x-ray. In his mind, X=Y, and there was nothing beyond that. This patient learned more from a chiropractor visit than this so-called specialist.
So even though I may be required at times to tell you, "Consult your doctor," I will almost never actually mean it. Sure, if you've got a broken bone, are bleeding profusely, or have endured some trauma, you need to see a doctor. It can also be helpful to have x-rays, MRIs, blood work, and more done by a doctor when needed. Get the information, refuse the drugs (unless your life is in imminent danger without them), and work on actually solving the issue – because medications aren't cures.
You know your body better than anyone. If what a doctor says goes against what you feel, trust your instinct. Get a second opinion. See a naturopath or chiropractor or health coach. Do your own research. Get familiar with the range of options available to you. Only then should you decide on a path forward.
And for goodness sake, unless you're an extreme case, you don't need to consult a doctor to start doing yoga or walking. You don't need medical advice before eating more fruits and veggies and drinking less soda. And you can research supplements and other remedies for any contraindications yourself.
Check out this article to hear in doctor's own words what they wish they'd been taught in medical school. Then, feel free to click some of the categories at the top of this post to read more on topics important to you.
I got a sun lamp last month, and I noticed a couple changes.
Sun Lamps and SAD
A sun lamp mimics natural light from the sun. Unlike the typical indoor lighting, which is heavy on blue light, a sun lamp incorporates more of the entire spectrum of sunlight. These lamps are also called SAD lamps because they have become pretty commonly recommended in dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD typically occurs in the winter months in colder climates. The days are shorter, the sun is less powerful, and people are outside less to catch what sunlight there is. The result is a chemical imbalance in the brain, specifically affecting two hormones:
- Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone
- Serotonin, a mood-related hormone
The symptoms can include depression, anxiety, apathy, mood swings, irritability, social isolation, excessive sleepiness, or sleep deprivation.
Using a Sun Lamp
I'm still learning about sun lamps myself, but since I got it in early January, I've committed to sitting in front of it for 15 minutes each morning.
You should sit within 24 inches of it and allow the light to hit your eyes without looking straight into it. I found this a bit awkward at first. Where can I sit within 2 feet of a light for 15 minutes? I ended up setting it next to the music on my piano, and I just commit to playing piano for 15 minutes each morning. Combining sun lamp and music therapy!
Benefits I Experienced
But anyway, you want to know what I experienced, right?
The main thing I noticed is that my sleep is much better since I started using the sun lamp. I had been having trouble sleeping since we moved last September because our bedroom is so much brighter than I'm used to (still need to make some good curtains!). I would wake up a lot during the night and sometimes not be able to fall back asleep.
However, in the last several weeks, I have noticed that I wake up less most nights. And even though I have been staying up too late a lot of nights, I feel as rested on seven hours of sleep as I usually do on eight hours. That is proof that my sleep quality is better.
The other effect I hadn't even realized until I sat down to write this. I usually do experience SAD during the winter. Not all winter usually and not too severe, but it pokes its ugly head up for a check in now and then.
This winter, so far, no SAD.
At first, I thought that meant I couldn't speak about how I benefited from the sun lamp with SAD. And then, I realized, I got it shortly after Christmas, and usually, I don't experience SAD around Christmastime.
So I can't say for sure, but I could argue that the daily sun lamp use kept the SAD symptoms at bay this winter. I have not had any sadness, my mood has been good, and I've had very little anxiety (which is, for me, generally a year-round on-and-off thing, not necessarily related to SAD).
So that's it – my experience after about a month of daily sun lamp use. I will definitely continue and consider it well worth the small price. And I would recommend it to people with sleep difficulties or SAD.
My Sun Lamp
If you'd like to try a sun lamp for yourself, I got this one because I thought it was prettier than most. But do your own research and choose the best one for you.
(That link is an affiliate link, which just means part of the purchase goes to me, rather than Amazon. You don't pay any extra, but you support my small business.)
Do you have difficulty sleeping or experience SAD? Have you tried a sun lamp?
Are you going to try one now? I'd love to hear your experiences!
