To some extent, the state of your house reflects the state of your mind. When your mind is in turmoil, you will be more likely to leave dishes unwashed, your bedroom strewn with dirty clothes, and unfinished paperwork scattered about. The hidden benefit of this relationship is that it also works in reverse. Clearing up environmental clutter helps to clear up mental clutter.
The reason is, whether you intend it or not, your mind creates and maintains a checklist of all the things that need to be done. This puts strain on your reticular formation (the part of your brain that makes you aware of things that are relevant), which diverts precious energy that you could utilize for more important matters. As you simplify and bring order to your surroundings, your brain will spontaneously erase those items from your mental checklist.
Where To Start:
I find the best place to start is by doing jobs that can be completed quickly and acted on presently. Even if seemingly trivial, a task as easy as chucking dirty clothes in the hamper can relieve as much stress as a more time-consuming errand like updating your résumé.
Physical and Emotional Gratification:
After putting your house in order, I recommend activities that are inherently satisfying. Don’t worry about work yet. First, make time for yourself. Here are some suggestions:
Take a shower.
As the water drums on your forehead, notice how much stress gets washed away into the drain. I think there’s something instinctually hard-wired into our nervous system that hits the reset button when we allow water to merely touch the face. Maybe that’s why so many religious rituals start by pouring water over your head, or with the washing of your hands and face.
Groom yourself.
Shave. Clip your nails. Get a haircut. The psychological gratification is instantaneous.
Dress up.
It may seem superficial, but it does help. I’m of the philosophy that if something works, just do it. Don’t ask questions. Leave the analysis to the scientists. Wearing old, ratty clothes will bring you down (and others who see you) as quickly as wearing your favorite shirt and shoes will elevate your mood.
Exercise.
Go for a jog or a swim at enough intensity to break a sweat. Feel the stress molecules seep out of your pores, and either evaporate into the air or get carried away by the water in which you’re immersed.
Get a massage.
Stress often manifests as physical tension in your muscles. What does a stressed-out person look like? Hunched shoulders. Arms and legs contracted. Stiff body language. A tense, worn-out face.
Now think of someone who is relaxed. What does he look like? Wide open body with arms and legs fully oustretched. Effortless movements, an easy smile, and relaxed shoulders. In the hands of a skilled masseuse, you will feel the muscle tension dissipate with each press, poke, and prod of your head, neck, and shoulders.
Eat nutritiously.
Garbage in equals garbage out. Taking care to feed your body with lean protein, whole grains, and fresh fruit and vegetables should not be underestimated. Every cell in your body eventually gets replaced by the components of the food you take in. So you might as well replace them with premium, superior-quality building blocks. Remember, you can’t sculpt a masterpiece with inferior-grade materials.
Laugh, drink, be merry.
I once read that laughing decouples synapses in your brain, in a manner not unlike alcohol. In other words, you will literally forget your troubles. Don’t worry, if something is important to you, you won’t suddenly lose sight of it. The decoupling is of a similar nature as when you sleep and the enzymes in your brain prune unused connections that needlessly complicate your thought process.
As always, moderation is key. Excess alcohol will overly depress your nervous system and bog down your vigor, among other things… your eyelids, for example. Rent yourself a comedy, plop down in a nice comfy armchair, and enjoy a glass of wine–only if you’re 21 or over, ok? ;)
Indulge in beauty.
Spending quality time with a beautiful woman or a woman you love (same thing really), will knock that stress right out of the ball park. If you can’t find one at the moment, I recommend instead a high vantage point from which you can look out at a sparkling sea or a night-lit cityscape.
Meditate?
Personally, I find when my mind is in a state of chaos, the last thing I’m capable of is to use my mind to calm itself. I prefer to start from the outside and work my way in. First, your environment. Then, your appearance. Then your body. Your mind and spirit will follow suit. When your stress has been lowered to a manageable level, you’ll find yourself prepared to take on your day, and eventually, every day.
//What are some of these superior building blocks that I spoke of? Stay tuned for the superfoods that has the internet abuzz!
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Thanks, cool nerd. I found your artical is very helpful. I loved to take shower and do exeise when I stressed out. However, I never think of I need a checklist to sort out what My stresses are and how I can solve them. Even thought I feel much better after shower or excise, those stresses would be back in a short time.
I guess I need to do is do the small things first, like you suggest ,instead of avoiding all the trouble things.
Yeah, the first thing is to put your house in order. I’m not suggesting that anyone sweep their problems under the rug, but to simply start small, lower your stress, and manage your well-being before tackling more difficult endeavors.