HealthyLife Articles

Tag: declutter

Feng Shui And Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Your home should be a haven where you can find relief from stress. If it’s not, you could lower stress levels by making some simple changes in your home.

The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui focuses on how things are placed in the home. It is based on a belief that the way the home is set up can affect stress levels. One of the concepts is that Chi, or a life force, must flow freely in the home.

Different ways to use Feng Shui

Using these concepts may help you feel more at ease when you’re at home. Consider these tips:

*Clutter is out.You may already know that a cluttered space can cause stress. Some studies have even shown that clutter causes an increase in stress hormones. When possible, get rid of unused or unwanted things. Find places, like cupboards and closets, to neatly keep other things.

*Use a balance of colors.Feng Shui uses the five elements: fire, earth, water, metal and wood. You can use objects that represent all of these things in a room. Another option is to use colors that represent these things in your house. You might use a warm wood trim with cool, watery blue walls.

*Position mirrors correctly.Make sure your mirrors reflect things you want to see. For instance, a mirror that reflects a plant can bring beauty into the home. But if the mirror reflects a stack of dirty laundry or a cluttered desk, it could create stress.

*Use nature’s beauty.Spending time in a peaceful garden can be a great way to relieve stress. Some people enjoy pulling weeds or planting wildflowers. Make an outside space into a quiet retreat that you can use when you feel stressed. Incorporate your favorite colors, textures or smells.

Source: American Institute of Stress

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Do-It-Yourself Spring Cleaning Guide

WELL-BEING

Germs grow and invade your privacy. Bathrooms are one of their popular spots. They gather in the bathtub, shower, toilet-just about everywhere.

“People these days just don’t take time out from their busy schedule to clean,” said Donna Duberg, lab science and germ expert at Saint Louis University. Duberg offers some simple ways to do your spring cleaning and make your bathroom germ-free.

Simplify cleaning:Engage in basic cleaning such as disinfecting and removing visible dirt regularly, to make spring cleaning less cumbersome. As spring sets in, brace yourself to clear the scum and lime scale-mostly found on your shower curtains-and mold stuck in and around your bathtub. They hold on to bacteria and can cause fungi to grow.

Don’t overkill:If you use too many cleaners and don’t dilute them, you risk the chance of inhaling the fumes of the cleaners, which can affect your lungs. Keep the windows open while cleaning or plug in fans to avoid breathing in the chemicals. Read the label carefully to understand how to use a product.

Instead of harsh chemicals, use the magic ingredient:Vinegar, when mixed with water can do wonders for the surfaces. Spray a mixture of one part white distilled vinegar mixed with 9 parts water to see a nice shine on your bathtub or floor. Undiluted white distilled vinegar mixed with baking soda can be used to remove scum. The fewer the cleaning products, the better. Vinegar is inexpensive, is not harmful to kids and pets, and always leaves a shine.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Getting Kids To Donate Old Toys

FAMILY LIFE

After the holidays, many families find their house overrun with toys. If your kids received new toys as gifts and have old toys they don’t use anymore, consider donating the toys to families in need.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to do this. Many parents find that children struggle to give up old toys. Even if they haven’t touched it in months, they may be unwilling to give the toy away.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests these tips to get kids on board:

*Make giving a part of family life.Try volunteering for a local charity as a family throughout the year. Talk to the kids about causes you support.

*Talk to the kids about ways to give.Talk to your child about local charities that could use their old toys. A church nursery, children’s shelters, a child care center, and children’s hospitals are just a few options.

*Ask for the kids’ help.Take some time to sort through old toys with your child. Try the “give one, keep one” approach so they can decide for themselves what stays and what goes.

*Only donate toys that are safe, not broken, and clean.

Tips for teaching gratitude to kids

*Do small things for friends or neighbors.Have your children bring fresh food to a neighbor who lives alone, or help them rake leaves without asking for anything in return.

*Talk to them about what they are thankful for each day.This can help parents too.

*Say “thank you” to others whenever appropriate.This helps them learn by following your example.

*Send thank-you notesand teach kids to send them after receiving birthday or holiday gifts.

*Have them do age-appropriate chores.This gives kids an idea of all the work it takes to keep a household running.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Living Simply

WELL-BEING

Simple living is not really that simple-but results from a recent study at University of the Sciences indicate that reducing the clutter and narrowing your possessions, activities, and thoughts can play a key role in boosting your mental and physical health.

“People generally look to simplify their lives for a number of reasons-most commonly after they get fed up with the stress and chaos of their daily lives,” said Dr. Heidi Freeman, assistant professor of exercise science and wellness management.

Try this:

*Decide what is unnecessary.Identify what is most important to you (spending time with family, career?) and eliminate everything else (cable TV, extracurricular activities, for example).

*Start with small changes.Set aside one screen-free day each week, learn a few new recipes, or take a DIY class. Once you’ve mastered one change, then you can take on something more challenging.

*Get moving.Rather than using your vehicle to get to places, consider walking, bicycling, or using public transportation.

*Learn to say no.Schedules are often jam-packed with activities, chores, appointments, responsibilities, and urgent tasks. In order to simplify your lifestyle, you must be able to turn things down to eliminate some of this schedule clutter.

*Spend less.The less you buy, the less you spend. For instance, ditch eating out and start preparing more meals at home-this can also increase the amount of quality time spent with your loved ones.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026