Living the simple life

Simplicity can be bliss. Find out how to cut back on unnecessary stress and dedicate more time to the things that make you happy

Do you forever feel like you’re too busy? All too often, weekends are over in the blink of an eye, and our fridge doors are awash with endless to-do lists. All of these might point to a need to simplify things. Life is for living after all.

1) Switch off: Being bombarded with a constant stream of reminders and temptations to check in with the virtual world can quickly leave you feeling detached from your actual world. Choosing to limit your electronic time will be a challenge (who are we kidding?), but it could help you stay in the moment and focused on what you’re actually doing.

2) Figure out where your time is going: Keeping a journal of how you are spending your time may seem like a recipe for more time-wasting, but it could shine some light on areas of your life that are taking up your time without giving you anything back. Sure, you’ll probably have an entry that reads, “30 minutes, updating this time journal.”

3) Plan a little: Knowing simple things like what your outfit for the morning is and what you are taking for lunch can give you a surprising amount of extra time and reduce unnecessary stress significantly. Maybe it could give you enough time to do something that makes you happy, like jogging around the park with the dog or sipping a latte while reading the morning paper.

4) Do sweat it: Exercise may seem like just another time suck, but look at it as something your body and mind need. Your mood will be boosted by endorphins, your mind will be calmer, and your stress levels will be lower.

5) One thing at a time: Sure, your to-do list is astronomical, but it can’t all get done in one day. Take a moment to prioritize, and choose the task that will give you the most satisfaction. Then stick to it! A wandering mind can lead us to flit from task to task without fully completing any of them.