Lower Stress with Organization

Are you stressed because your house is a mess, you’re always late, you don’t eat right and you never get enough sleep? If this sounds familiar, you could probably stand to be more organized.

You may think organization sounds great; but it’s not realistic for you. That’s not true. Anyone can be organized.

To get there, it’s good to know some of the tips, tricks and tools. Create more calm in your life with these DIY remedies to your most common organization problems.

Time

Managing your time can be a challenge, especially if you have a hectic schedule. With a little organization (and maybe the right tools), it can be a snap to manage your time.

• Use a calendar
  If you have a smartphone, you probably have access to a calendar at your fingertips. Using a calendar gives you a picture of your day, a snapshot of where you need to be. First, add your weekly repeating activities. You can even export Facebook events or airline flights to your calendar. Some calendars also allow you to enter drive time and reminders as part of an appointment entry.
• Keep a list 
  Lists can help you keep track of the things you need to do on a given day. There are many list-making tools handy on your smartphone. But, you can always write a list if that works better for you. Check your list often to stay on top of things.
• Prioritize 
  Not every activity in your day is important. Think through which commitments are the most important and do those first. You may need to cut some things to give you more time for the things that you really need to do.
• Look at traffic maps 
  Even if you know how to get where you are going, take a moment to set the map. Always add 10 minutes to your drive time to allow for unexpected delays. Being stuck in traffic is stressful and it may make you late.

Cleanliness

Many people live in a house where the floor is covered in toys and the fridge is filled with out-of-date foods. Feeling the clutter at home clutters your mind and raises stress. There are several things you can do to organize your home.

• Make the bed daily
  Get up and make the bed before doing anything else. When you come home to a bed that is made, it can give you a feeling of peace that at least one thing is done.

• Teach children to clean
  If you have kids, involve them in cleaning up their toys, rooms and bathrooms. It will teach them to be more organized in their own lives. It can also help kids learn responsibility and the value of a sense of accomplishment.

• Set a cleaning day
  Set a weekly time to do a full house clean and keep it as a repeating event in your calendar. When living with others, divide up the cleaning jobs and conquer them together. Even if you tackle the work on your own, you’ll find it only takes a short time to change sheets, clean bathrooms, dust and vacuum. Or, if your budget permits, hire a cleaning service.

• Pick up before bed
  If you take a few minutes to pick up clutter every night before bed, it makes your main cleaning day go by much faster. If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it now.

Sleep

If you have a hard time managing your commitments, maybe you aren’t getting enough sleep. Regular, good quality sleep increases your productivity and overall happiness. It also helps you lower your stress levels. Here are some tips to help you get more (and better) sleep:

• Take time to unwind
  Not very many people can come home and go to sleep right away. Most people need time to unwind. Do some light chores around the house. Play or read with kids if you have them. Watching TV is okay but be mindful about it. Research says spending too much time watching TV or scrolling on your phone can interfere with sleep. The longer you’re exposed to the light, called blue light, from technology, the harder it is to fall asleep.

• Set a bedtime
  Set a time about an hour before you need to fall asleep to enjoy something that helps you let go of the day. Taking a warm shower, reading or meditating can help you feel relaxed and ready for sleep.

Eating and Exercise

When you are busy, taking time to exercise can get missed. Or, when feel like your schedule is too packed to cook healthy meals, you may find yourself grabbing fast food more often than you’d like. Just 20 or 30 minutes of movement a day can relieve stress and help you feel healthier. Here are some tips to make exercise and eating better easier:

• Schedule exercise classes
  Use your calendar to schedule time for exercise. Exercise produces stress-relieving endorphins. Try adding a walk during your lunch break if your day is too busy to make time for a workout.

• Track what you eat
  Use phone apps like My Fitness Pal to monitor what you eat. These tools give a realistic view of what you eat and how many calories your portions really are. That helps you manage a healthy diet.

• Prepare lunches and snacks
  Prepare healthy lunches and snacks for you and your kids so no one ends up grabbing quick, less-healthy options later. If your kids are able, have them help with this task. They’ll learn about eating well and taking care of themselves. And you’ll save calories and money. Eating right is a pledge to being healthy and being healthy is a huge stress reliever.

Being organized takes some discipline at first. With a little effort, in time it will become a lifestyle. When you create space in your life through organization and prioritizing the most important things, you’ll find yourself feeling less stressed. Your new-found calm will also help you enjoy better quality time when you’re with family and friends.

Sources: Top 15 Proven Tips to Sleep Better at Night,  Healthline, 2025; Sleep Tips: 6 Steps to Better Sleep,  Mayo Clinic, 2025; Being organized can actually improve mental health. This is why.,  National Geographic, 2024