In life, there is no shortage of things that can go awry on a daily basis. We are all facing unprecedented levels of uncertainty that impact both our personal and work lives. Consequently, we must all achieve emotional discipline in our approach to getting through life. It is the well-rounded individuals who are more down-to-earth who weather the storm most successfully.
Recent research from the University of the Sciences shows that reducing the cluttering and narrowing of our activities, possessions, and thoughts can boost our mental and physical health. Ninety percent of people who were part of the “simple living movement” reported improved physical and mental health (Freeman, 2015).
What we decide to focus on, attend to, and notice greatly affects our well-being. Many of us are fed up with the stress and chaos of our daily lives. Clutter around our home is one thing that has proven to cause stress. This clutter overwhelms our minds with excessive and unnecessary visual, olfactory, and tactile stimuli. If it continues, it can have negative effects on our hearts, lungs, and immune systems, as well as take a psychological toll. When more items than we can manage surround us, we have the visual image that our life is out of control. Thus, it is vital to physically and mentally de-clutter your home.
In psychology, “the hedonic adaptation” is a phenomenon is which people quickly get used to positive or negative changes, in order to maintain a consistent level of happiness. Thus, the thrill of a new purchase dissipates into an emotional norm, over time. We stop receiving pleasure from new purchases, and then we go out and buy other new things.
Research has already confirmed a strong correlation between the quality of people’s relationships and happiness. Research suggests that spending time on leisure activities and services that strengthen our relationships rather than spending money on material goods increases our happiness. We tend to be happier when we relish what we plan to buy long before we make the purchase and when we stop trying to compare ourselves to those more well-off.
By eliminating unnecessary possessions, friends, and distractions, we have more space and time to dedicate toward setting and achieving personal wellness goals. We make room for what matters most, we focus on what is meaningful in our lives and pursue it. Simple is always best. Follow the advice of this acronym and you can be the down-to-earth individual who is connected to others and able to appreciate the smaller and simple things in life:
S: Start making small changes and then take on bigger ones.
I: Identify what is most important to you.
M: Mindfulness of all your choices is necessary.
P: Plan how to spend your money and time wisely.
L: Learn to say “no” in order to simplify your schedule.
E: Eliminate the excess and embrace the essentials.
To learn more, visit www.draldencass.com or call Dr. Cass directly at 646-202-9611.
DASHA® is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
