RazzWorks

Mental health issues can come in all shapes and sizes, from depression and anxiety to sleep disorders and memory loss. More and more of us are struggling to cope with these issues and find a balance in our lives. What if the key to improving your mental health is simpler than you think – finding ways to practice simplicity in your everyday life?

Years ago I bought a book on voluntary simplicity. It intrigued me and I knew I wanted to embrace many of the philosophies. I’ve worked at simplifying for many years and there are still areas where I could improve but overall I am happy with the pace my life flows at (most days). Back then I was suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks. There were other factors of course but simplifying my life helped alot with those mental health issues and I can say I haven’t had a panic attack in many years.

Read on to find out how you can achieve a sense of well-being and balance in your life by making simple changes. Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once, the idea is to simplify. Take it slowly, one baby step at a time and only do what works for you. There are no hard and fast rules. Good luck.

The Benefits of Simplicity

More creativity – by being more mindful of your time and how you spend it you can cut out those mindless things you do throughout the day like scrolling through social media, playing video games, binge-watching TV etc.. You will have time to do things you enjoy, a hobby like dancing, painting, woodworking, calligraphy, knitting or anything you have a desire to try. Your mind will feel clearer and you’ll be more able to tap into the creativity within when the rest of your life is simpler.

Less Stress – Having a busy life can cause alot of stress. You’re always pressed for time, you can never do all the things you need or want to do, your relationships suffer and you become a jumbled mess of nerves. Simplifying your life will slow things down and help you to feel more in control. Your stress levels will drop and you’ll start living the life you’ve always wanted.

More Joy – With less stress, you’ll experience more joy. You can take the time to stop and enjoy whatever you are doing. You’ll have more time to spend with your family, having fun and embracing life. You won’t be constantly looking for the next new thing to make you happy. True joy and contentment will be yours.

Less Clutter – When we think of simplifying we often associate it with decluttering. That’s not all there is to it but reducing clutter can be a big part of it. If we’re surrounded by clutter we get what I call a cluttered mind. Thinking straight becomes a struggle, we get disorganized and frazzled. Cleaning up the clutter isn’t just an aesthetic thing, it actually helps us to clear our mind as well.

More Brain Function – Once you’ve cleared the physical clutter, cleaned up your schedule and to-do lists and started to enjoy a simpler life you’ll notice your brain just works better. Reducing stress, clutter and disorder allows your brain to function more effectively.

Ways to Simplify Your Life

There are many ways you can simplify your life. For some people, it’s all about decluttering and being more minimalistic. For others, the focus is slowing down, reducing obligations and taking more time for yourself. Both ways are correct, it’s about what you want your simple life to look like

Here are a few suggestions to get you started
a. Consume less
b. Declutter – your home, clothes, office etc.
c. Make a meal plan
d. Say no more often
e. Walk more
f. Create routines
g. Make self-care a priority
h. Follow a budget
i. Don’t do things that bring you down
j. Turn off your phone

Establish Routine & Structure

One of the things that can have a great impact on creating a simpler life is routines. Developing a structure for your day is like organizing your cupboards; it gives you a clear view of what is there, and what to expect. It helps to eliminate surprises and forgetting to do important tasks.

Many people write appointments and important dates on a calendar. You could go a step further and use a day planner, jotting in tasks to do at certain times of the day. Or, my preferred method, writing down the things you need to do in a notebook in order you want to do them. No strict times, just a chronological list of things to get done. When you finish one item you cross it out and move on to the next one. This provides some structure without the strictness of a timeline. If something doesn’t get done today it gets moved to tomorrow’s list. No pressure!

If structuring your whole day seems like too much then start small. Create a morning routine or a bedtime routine. Once you are comfortable with that you can build on it and add a little more to it. You’ll find having structure and routines in your day relieves some of the stress and you’ll also find you are more productive. Life will feel simpler and more fulfilling.

Set Boundaries

This can be a tough one but it is necessary for your peace of mind. Learn to say no without guilt. If you don’t have time or you’re just not interested in volunteering at your kids’ school or baking for the church bazaar then politely so no.

Another area where you should set boundaries is with the relationships you have. Avoid toxic people and don’t allow others to dictate what you do and when you should do it. If you work from home let people know that you are not available during work hours for visits, phone calls or coffee dates.

Make plans with the people you want to be around outside of business hours and they will accept it and know you aren’t just trying to avoid them. But manage your time and relationships so they work for your simple life.

Find Ways to Unplug

Technology is a wonderful thing but too much of a good thing isn’t always good. We are so attached to our phones these days that we jump at every notification. It always bothers me when I see a family in a restaurant with their phones in their faces. No one is talking to each other. I have to wonder why they are out to eat together in the first place.

If you find technology is taking up too much of your time maybe shut it off or at least turn off the sound for a period of time each day. Go outside, go for a walk, visit with a friend or read a book. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it’s not electronic.

Some people like to do a digital detox. This could be a weekend away where you leave your phone shut off and leave electronic devices at home. Or it could be just a day at home with no devices. Whatever you choose to do it’s about living a life on purpose, your way, slowing down and enjoying more of the moments.

Conclusion:
Finding a balance in your life starts with making simple changes to your daily routine. Whether it’s establishing structure in your day or setting boundaries on how much time you’re spending on social media, introducing simplicity into your life can help to improve your mental health and life satisfaction.

Start practicing simplicity today and take steps towards improving your mental health. Join the conversation and share your experiences with others who are also striving to achieve a sense of balance in their lives.

ROZE