How to Organize Your Life in Six Simple Steps

     1. Plan Your Day the Night Before

Planning your day the night before will help you stay focused on important tasks and keep you on track. Something as simple as setting out your clothes the night before will cut down the amount of time you spend on your morning routine and start your day out on the right foot. I personally make a to-do list every night for the following day with every little thing the next day will entail. This helps to structure my day and to make sure nothing gets left undone or forgotten.

2. Declutter your space

Nothing is less motivating than a messy house or workspace. Get organized by throwing out or donating unwanted items and putting away things that you want to keep. Spruce up your space with a candle or a colorful plant. Having a positive and organized space will help you to get more done and feel more relaxed.

     3. Give Anything and Everything a Home

Now that you have decluttered your space and gotten rid of unnecessary items, it’s time to give anything and everything a home. We’ve all been there, you are ready to cross an annoying task off your list but can’t find any of the paperwork or items you need to complete it. This only furthers your annoyance and makes you put the task off even longer. I find that having a home for everything from important documents to something as small as batteries helps me to navigate tasks quickly and get them out of the way. Organizing tools such as filing systems and drawer spacers are a great way to get started.

      4. Start Saving

If you haven’t already, start saving. Even if you’re not sure what exactly it is your saving for, I promise you there will come a time when you will thank yourself for having a savings account. For some of us, this may seem like an impossible task with smaller incomes or student loans but even setting aside a dollar a day or even less will add up over time. You are never too young to start saving, the sooner you start, the better.

      5. Set Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Goals.

When setting goals for ourselves it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Setting smaller goals to help you achieve the larger ones will help you get to the big picture faster. Breaking down your goals will help you to design your to-do lists and make you feel more accomplished while working towards them.

      6. Stick to a routine

The amount of structure you maintain will directly impact how organized your life will be. If you never know when to do things it can become very easy to procrastinate. Now I’m not saying you have to plan every single detail of your life, but having certain times of the day set aside for your most important tasks will keep you focused. Starting and ending your day the same way is a great way to get a routine started and then you can start to work in specific times for specific tasks.

Six Ways to Reduce Anxiety

1.  Use Essential Oils

Essential oil diffusers are not only a great addition to your room décor but also a great way to help with anxiety as well.  Diffusing scents like lemon and lavender can help to relax you throughout the day or before bed. You can also buy roll on oils to stay smelling fresh and stay relaxed on the go.

2.  Spend Extra Time with Your Pets

It’ no secret that our pets are amazing, but did you know that they can also help with anxiety? Researchers from Washing State University found that petting an animal can reduce your stress in just ten minutes. Your pet will love the extra attention and you’ll walk away from your cuddle sesh feeling lighter than air.

3.  Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

I’m not saying that if you go on a juice cleanse you’ll suddenly be anxiety-free (it might actually make you crazy) but if you find yourself eating junk food more often than not it could be a contributor to your anxiety. Studies have shown that what we eat is directly related to our emotions. If you’re overeating unhealthy foods or depriving yourself to look thin you could be wreaking havoc on your mental health.

4.   Get Outdoors

Spending time outside and in nature have been shown to help decrease levels of depression and anxiety. Even if it’s just a short walk in your neighborhood, some fresh air will do you good. With spring being right around the corner, now is the time to put this tip to the test.

5.  Exercise

Regular exercise isn’t just important for your waistline, it can help you feel better mentally too. We all know from watching Legally Blonde that exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you happy. All kidding aside, regular exercise can help to keep you healthy both physically and mentally. So if you needed yet another reason to go to the gym, here ya go.

6.   Stay Hydrated

Anxiety has been linked as one of the main symptoms of dehydration. Drinking enough water throughout the day will help with your skin, cravings, and you guessed it, your anxiety. Skip the tea or coffee and fill up your water bottle.  Drink! Drink! Drink!

Five Ways to Motivate Yourself to Workout

With the obesity epidemic on the rise, it is more important than ever to stay active. Since 1996 the obesity rate in America has risen from 17% to 30%. Basically, what that means is that one in three Americans are obese. To get you started here are some ways to make staying active a little bit easier!

1.      Join a Fitness Class

  A fitness class is a great option for anyone that doesn’t know where to start or doesn’t want to plan their workout. We’ve all been there… you swiped through Pinterest for an hour looking for the workout that’s going to totally change your life overnight and eventually ended up eating cheese fries. A fitness class can save you from scrolling because all you have to do is show up and follow your instructor.  Most universities offer fitness classes free of charge to students and it’s also a great way to make friends on campus. If you already love working out, a fitness class can help you learn some new exercises to mix up your current routine.

2.      Buy Stuff

Okay so I’m not trying to encourage retail therapy but sometimes it works! If buying new leggings or a new water bottle gets you excited to workout then go for it. Your wallet may suffer but your health won’t. What’s really more important here right?

3.      Hire a Personal Trainer

Hiring a personal trainer is a great option if you’ve never worked out before or if your fitness goals intimidate that crap out of you. Going to the gym on campus can feel kind of scary, especially when everyone seems like they know exactly what they’re doing. A trainer will help you to relax and explain exactly how to perform each exercise. Not only will your workouts be personally tailored for you, but you will also be less likely to injure yourself with poor form. Most universities offer personal training for a much cheaper cost than any independent or chain gym would. If this is something you are considering it is best to do it as a student when the cost is lower.

4.      Make a playlist

Having a kickass playlist is the first (and most important) step to achieving a great workout. Rather than shuffling through songs when you get to the gym, make one ahead of time. This will get you pumped to work out and keep your endurance and energy levels high once you get moving. Don’t feel like making your own? No problem! Most streaming apps have workout playlists already downloaded for your listening needs.

5.      Find a Workout Buddy

Having a friend to go to the gym with you will work wonders on your motivation. You will not only have more confidence when you get there, but you will also have way more fun than going alone. You can keep each other accountable and spend some quality BFF time as well.