Improve Your Health with Minimalism (Challenges Part 8)

By
Earlier this year I was the victim of identity theft, and it was a sickening experience.  I felt so angry and so vulnerable.  But I'm also thankful for the kindness and competence of the people who helped me sort things out and begin to recover.


sleep like a baby



Chronic stress can kill you.


Identity theft is only one possible source of stress in our world today.  Work, relationships, parenting, and general over-busyness can also be part of the mix.  But many studies, including the American Psychological Association's 2022 Stress in America survey, indicate that a large majority of Americans feel stressed about finances.


Chronic stress is really bad for our health.  It lowers our immune response and can leave us vulnerable to digestive problems, headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more.


A minimalist mindset can reduce stress by helping us remove the things that bog us down and steal our money, time, and attention.  We may own and do less, but we gain the space and energy to focus on what we truly care about.  Minimalism is all about a quality life.


However, it's possible to create the perfect uncluttered home and schedule yet ignore the foundation we need for a good life – good health.  Without it, everything else could be compromised.


The next three challenges focus on your good health.




Thirty-minute Minimalist Challenges #22-24


22.  Be a good patient.

Life is far simpler when you're healthy, but you definitely need to take action to stay well.  Schedule your preventative medical appointments and screenings.  Take prescribed medications as directed.  Get your COVID booster and flu shot.  Make an appointment with the dentist.  If you're over 50, schedule an eye exam, even if you don't notice any problems with your vision.


23.  Create a soothing bedtime ritual.

Millions of people fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours sleep each night, even though many studies reveal that adequate sleep is a primary determiner of our moods.  Sleep deprivation impairs memory, weakens the immune system, and slows metabolism.  How can we have a happier, simpler life with all of that going on?


Choose an earlier bedtime and turn off screens an hour before.  Make a list of your top two or three priorities for the next day so you can stop worrying about them.  Then take time to moisturize your face/hands/feet, do some stretching, listen to serene music, meditate, read a spiritual text, or something else that will prepare you for a restful night.


24.  Evaluate your purchases.

Almost nothing complicates life so much as messy finances.  Look at your last ten receipts and think about your shopping triggers.  What do you notice about your spending habits?  How much do they contribute to your clutter problems?  Are you happy with the way you're using your money?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Beat 3 Blocks that Keep You Cluttered

By
Image
You may not realize it, but you could be harboring some beliefs that make it difficult (or even impossible) to declutter and stay that way.  These are common mindsets that can hold us back.  If you're struggling to declutter, it's time to identify the thoughts that are making it so hard. Decluttering block #1: I hate tossing things out. I think we can agree that throwing things out feels wasteful and bad.  Especially if your parents or grandparents lived through the Depression or the World War II era, this mindset runs deep.  The urge to keep everything (even things that are broken) will be stronger if you or your family have a history of trauma or hoarding.  You might not even be aware of how strong this inner compulsion is until you start trying to declutter. If you find it hard to get rid of broken, frayed, outgrown, neglected, or otherwise unused things, see if one of these reminders can help: 1.  The reprimand might not be coming from you. Your aversio...
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we...
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we...
Read more

Share the Joy - Giving the Gift of Hygge

By
Image
The international interest in the Danish lifestyle hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") has been co-opted by retailers who want to sell to us.  Of course, we do need items to make life more comfortable, such as beds, tables, chairs, clothing, and food.  I happen to think we also need books, flowers, and candles.  No one – not even a minimalist like me – can stop consuming while they're alive. But what we can control is how much we buy that's unnecessary, and how much we waste.  And since hygge is an experience you can create, not a thing you can buy, we don't really need to purchase anything to have a more hyggeligt life.  A sunrise, a crisp and juicy apple, birdsong, the scent of rain, or a long, strong hug can provide that. 13 great hygge gifts So how do you give the gift of hygge?  What can you offer a loved one that will truly add to their stock of  comfort, joy, and life satisfaction ?  Here are some ideas, large and small, that shouldn't add to yo...
Read more

6 Quick and Easy Steps to Declutter Before the Holidays

By
Image
The holidays are just around the corner, and as you shop for and cook your Thanksgiving feast and prepare to put up Christmas or Hanukkah decorations, you'll enjoy it all even more if you do a quick clear-out while you have the chance. Not only can you make room for the Christmas tree, but you can help the whole family feel less overwhelmed by holiday bustle, and give yourself more space to savor what the season has to offer.  You'll feel better prepared for holiday guests, and more ready for a fun and relaxed celebration. I know you're extra-busy, so this is not an intense purge.  It's a quick, refreshing chance to set the stage, with the added benefit of beginning the New Year with less clutter and more freedom. So set aside 15-30 minutes for each step in the process, and let your success in one area carry you to the next with renewed energy! The quick clear-out 1.  Start in the kitchen. Many holiday traditions involve food.  Crowded counters and crammed, hard-to-a...
Read more