Maybe your over-scheduled calendar isn’t completely to blame for your stress – maybe it’s something less obvious and far easier to fix!
- Your Clutter – There’s actually a scientifically proven link between the stress hormone, cortisol, and a “high density of household objects” like piles of laundry, a sink full of dishes, stacks of mail, or toys. In fact, visual clutter competes with our ability to focus and tires our cognitive functions over time. The same holds true in your office, so sparing a few minutes at the end of your day to keep your workspace tidy may have real health and productivity benefits.
- Your Unmade Bed – The simple act of making your bed is not only correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being and more self-discipline, but turns out it’ll also keep you healthier.
- Junk Food – What you eat really does have a direct effect on our stress and anxiety levels. This game of willpower only gets worst when those delicious cookies are displayed – hide them, freeze them, or share them and be the office hero. Out of sight, out of mind.
- Financial Documents – Restrict these to one room, in a filing cabinet or office desk, rather than having them spread throughout the house. Your accountant will appreciate this, too.
- Your Work – Sometimes there’s no way to avoid bringing work home, but keeping it all on the kitchen table or coffee table day after day has a negative effect on your health. Keep it confined to an office rather than letting it stare you down all weekend long.
- Noise – Be mindful of how loud your television or music is because it turns out, more noise equals more stress.
Photo credit: Jamie Grill/Getty
