Disorganization can create anxiety, stress, and a chaotic environment. Many of my clients want a calmer life. I help them achieve it through organizing, editing, planning, and developing systems. Improving these areas has a positive effect on their lives. Aside from my virtual organizing services, there is another source (a surprising one) that can help improve your overall wellbeing. It’s spending time in nature.

I recently returned from a mini summer vacation in upstate New York’s Finger Lakes Region. My husband and I spent some of that time being in nature. I can attest to the positive effects the outdoors had on me. Sitting by Keuka Lake, eating breakfast surrounded by trees and bird sounds, taking in the spectacular vistas, and hiking Watkins Glen’s gorge trail made me feel centered, calm, and happy. Yes, I know this is anecdotal, but there is research to support nature’s benefits.

The June 2022 Mindful article, “Six Benefits of Spending Time in Nature,” explained that between 2019 and 2021, the average American spent 4.2 hours each day on mobile devices and another three hours every day watching TV. Almost half of the US population didn’t engage in any outdoor activity in 2019. They described how “disengagement from the natural world is associated with increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, among other problems.”

At the same time, research supports how nature can “improve vision, memory, and concentration, restore mental energy, relieve stress, reduce inflammation, sharpen thinking, and expand creativity.”

“Spending time in nature can boost your mood.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

The article shared Florence Williams’ research discoveries from her book The Nature Fix and how even five minutes in nature can calm the nervous system. That’s a short time for a tremendous result. Before you run outside to your nearest park, check out Williams’ findings.

6 Benefits Humans Derive From Connecting With Nature

• Five minutes in a forest surrounded by trees slows the heart rate, relaxes facial muscles, and calms the prefrontal cortex.

• Water and birdsong improve mood and alertness.

• Spending 15 minutes in nature can reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

• Spending time in natural landscapes increases the brain’s alpha waves, which are associated with calm and alertness.

• Spending 90 minutes in nature reduces rumination and preoccupation with problems.

• Spending 120 minutes per week in nature can make us happier and boost overall health and wellbeing.

I’ve seen clients’ moods improve by the end of their one-hour virtual organizing sessions. And while I’m here and ready to help with your organizing needs, it’s also great to know about this additional source. Spending time in nature can calm, boost your mood, decrease rumination and stress, and increase alertness and overall wellbeing.

What helps you improve your mood and wellbeing? Is it getting organized, spending time in nature, or something else? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

As the cold freeze of winter chases the second month of this New Year, are you actively pursuing the changes you want to make in your life? Or, are you in the research and planning phase? Maybe change is the farthest thing from your mind. I’ve noticed during my latest conversations how people are at different ‘change’ points. Some have committed to specific changes, others are pondering change, and some want no change. Where are you right now on the change spectrum?

Recently I discovered three inspiring ideas. I considered them concerning these ‘change’ conversations. Especially if you are in the midst of change or trying to decide what changes you want to pursue, one of these concepts could help you clarify your direction or encourage a perspective shift. 

3 New Trends Will Inspire You to Make Remarkable Changes

1. The Big Quit

Life has changed in numerous ways. The last two-plus years of the global pandemic affected how we live, think and respond. The pandemic has influenced “the great resignation” or “the big quit,” where millions of employees from all industries are leaving their companies in droves. They no longer want to continue as they had, which was not working for them. Instead, they’ve gone for more significant opportunities, higher pay, and better scheduling flexibility. Enough was enough.

How does “the big quit” relate to you? Use this mantra to ask questions to encourage change in your life.

• What are you currently doing that is not serving you well?

• What do you need to “quit?”

• Is your home environment cluttered and draining your physical and emotional energy?

• Do you have ineffective systems that don’t support who you are and what you’re doing?

• Which unhelpful habits are preventing you from living your best life? 

• What do you want to stop doing that no longer works for you?

• What do you want to “quit” to transform your life?

2. Resilience Hubs

According to Google, the word used most to describe 2021 was “exhausting.” It’s no surprise since we’ve had to navigate the pandemic for another year. We’ve experienced loss, working differently, and shifting COVID protocols. We’ve had to balance work and family life with continually changing rules and a mutating virus (now Omicron BA.2). And as if this weren’t enough, we’ve experienced political unrest, inflation, and unprecedented uncertainty. I’m exhausted just thinking about all of this. What is the antidote to fatigue?

Recently, I heard about “Resilience Hubs.” These are trusted physical spaces, typically located in urban areas, established to support communities during regular times and disasters. With local government and residents as their leaders, these hubs have better communication and can more easily pivot to provide the resources the community and its members need to thrive.

As you pursue the changes you want for this year, consider creating your own personal resilience hub. What do you need to replenish your reserves after the exhaustion from the last few years? My resilience hub includes:

• Meditating daily

• Walking in nature

• Doing yoga

• Practicing mindfulness

• Spending time with friends and family

• Getting enough sleep

• Letting go of things that drain my energy

What will you include in your resilience hub?

“Which unhelpful habits are preventing you from living your best life?”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

3. The Magic Question

Zoe Chance, Yale University professor and author of Influence Is Your Superpower, was interviewed on NPR this month. During the conversation, I was especially intrigued when host Leila Fadel asked her to elaborate on a section in her book about the magic question. Magic question? I couldn’t wait to hear what it was. Are you thinking the same thing?

The magic question: What would it take?

As Zoe explains, “The magic question is magic because…it’s respectful…you get creative and surprising answers that you would never have expected. And…when they tell you, here’s the roadmap to success, they are implicitly committing to supporting that outcome.”

Change is hard. Often it’s a challenge because we get in our own way with excuses, doubt, or fear. But if we activate some magic, in the form of this magic question, what becomes possible? As you navigate your path of change, ask, what would it take to:

• have an organized, decluttered home?

• have a workspace that helped me focus and supported my needs?

• have time to work and relax?

• have  . . . ?

I hope that with some new tools or phrases at the ready, you will be inspired to pursue the change you desire. Did one of these ideas resonate with you? Did you discover something today to help? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

As always, if you want help on your change path, I’m an email or phone call away. Reach out at any time to schedule your virtual organizing session. Find me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or 914-271-5673. I’m ready to help facilitate the change you desire.