Stress and Anxiety Reduction Strategies: Health Information

Mary Starr Johnson-Gerard, Ph.D.
Stress and anxiety are running a muck in today's world. People are irritable, forgetful and unsatisfied with life because they feel stress and anxiety related to lack of organization. Getting organized is a very difficult task for some people to accomplish. Even with the best of intentions and making earnest New Year's resolutions, a large number of us are unable to achieve our goal. Some reasons people give for not being able to get organized are that they are able to convince themselves that they may eventually need things they are saving or hording and they don't have time.

Get Simple

Lifestyle has a lot to do with stress and anxiet y. Being disorganized and not being able to get organized creates stress and anxiety. People today go from one activity to the next without having any time to think. The lives of families and individuals today are on the go, go, go -stress, stress, stress. Simplifying life is one of the main ways of getting organized and reducing stress and anxiety. Taking time to think about all of the running around that is happening and deciding what is really important and what can be eliminated will help reduce stress and anxiety. This is easier said than done. Many people have decided that everything they do is important and have a difficult time letting go. Letting go needs to happen if organization is to be achieved.

Do It Now

Do it now and don't put it off is an effective strategy for getting reducing stress and anxiety and for getting organized and staying organized. This strategy is effective in that whatever is being used for a project or activity is put away the minute it is done being used. For example, when a trip is over and the suitcase is brought into the house, empty it right then and don't put it off. If toiletries are used in the morning, put them away before leaving the bathroom.

Use a Calendar

A calendar is an organizing tool that is almost of "must have" to keep life organized, to help plan each day and to reduce stress and anxiety. Using a calendar effectively means one has to write down every deadline or appointment as it is made. Some people keep a paper calendar in their purse or briefcase to document appointments when they are away from their computer. They add the new information to a master computer managed calendar. Cell phones now have calendaring capabilities and are another effective way to keep organized.

To Do Lists

Keeping a "To Do List" is another organization strategy that helps people to manage their lives and to reduce stress and anxiety. These lists are only effective if they are used to plan each day or to prioritize activities or projects. Many mobile phones have the capacity to link with a "To Do List" kept on your computer. This is helpful because it allows checking the list while away from the computer and adding things to the master list directly from the phone as new priorities are things are defined.

Organization Spots

Much time is lost and stress and anxiety builds when looking for things that have been misplaced while at home. Phones, car keys eyeglasses, purses, wallets and mail can be found easier if there is a designated location assigned to them in the home. Make a plan where each of these items should to be placed when not in use and discipline yourself to always put items where they go. These strategies are effective for reducing stress and anxiety.

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Published by Mary Starr Johnson-Gerard, Ph.D.

I am a Ph.D. Educational Psychologist with over 35 years of experience in the fields of human development, behavior, and learning. I have hands on experiences as well consultative experiences in all areas. I...  View profile

  • This article describes how organizational strategies reduce stress and anxiety.

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