The Importance of Being Organized!

An Electronic Mental Health Newsletter from Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. & Associates
Volume 15, Number 10

Because of the times we live in, many of us feel stressed. We are constantly bombarded with worrisome news, things we have to do, opportunities we might miss if we don’t hurry and sign up, or by emails which require us to respond. A lot of us feel exhausted and not in control of our lives with depression and anxiety being major mental health problems.

One solution to living a happier and peaceful life is to gain a sense of control by organizing and structuring one’s life. This month’s e-Letter, The Importance of Being Organized, provides information on how you can reduce stress and feel accomplished by putting yourself on a schedule and decluttering your life.

KimmelPsychology has provided a monthly E-Letter for over 16 years, which is educational, informative, and helpful. Topics change every month, but the format remains the same; brief information about the topic as well as suggestions for improvement.

You are invited to email your thoughts to Dr. Kimmel at [email protected].

Make sure to read the latest blog addition here.

PRACTICE NEWS

An Exciting Offer!
Meredith Kimmel, ACC is pursuing her Professional Certified Coach, PCC, credential from the International Coaching Federation. Already an Associate Certified Coach, ACC, she is looking for the credential to be able to mentor coaching students, to develop other coaches, and to teach in accredited coach training programs.

This is a very personal goal for Meredith and as a result, she created the “The Push For PCC” coaching package which is a win-win for her and for people who want or need coaching. The package includes 12 1-to-1 coaching sessions. Each session is an hour long and conducted via Zoom or telephone. The sessions are greatly discounted in return for the number of hours needed to achieve the PCC credential. The win-win package is being offered only to the first twenty-five people who register for it and some spots have already been taken.

If you are in the process of change or will be, if you are uncertain what to do, or you have always wanted to be coached, this is an opportunity. To find out more about coaching or the PCC package visit her website at MeredithKimmel.com. You can contact Meredith at [email protected] or call her at (954) 655-7066.

KimmelPsychology has committed itself to being available for anyone who is in need of support, therapy, psychiatric consultation, professional coaching, and online psychological and psychoeducational evaluations. We practice telehealth and have also returned to safe, in-office visits. We can be reached by calling our office at 954 755-2885 or by going to the Our Staff page on our website, KimmelPsychology.com.

We frequently post news and articles on our KimmelPsychology Facebook page. Like us and read our articles.

The Importance of Being Organized!

(Photo by Stil)

Many of us have a fantasy of having nothing to do, having no deadlines, and not having to respond to emails, texts, or other messages. Yes, this is a fantasy in today’s world. Having nothing to do is very appealing yet may actually be detrimental to us. We can benefit from days off, holidays, and vacations but to be happy in life, we need to have a purpose. This gives meaning to our lives and a direction. It also allows us to have some sense of control in our lives.

Organizing oneself means giving ourselves a structure. It ensures that we get things done and feel a sense of accomplishment. Physically, having a daily routine of when to get up, go to sleep, eat, and take breaks is good for maintaining our circadian rhythm. Psychologically, having a structure reduces our anxiety and gives us a sense of certainty. Without structure, we forget appointments, tasks we need to do, and even eating and exercising. Being organized can give us a sense of familiarity in our daily lives and overcome procrastination and slacking off.

A prime example of not being organized are those who live in clutter or have unfinished projects that were never completed. Research has shown that people who have lived in such homes were more depressed, fatigued, and had higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, than people who lived in “restorative” homes. Not having a structure or routine can also cause feelings of being overwhelmed and not having a focus.

A good way to start being organized is to establish a daily routine with bedtimes, wakeup times, exercise times, and eating times. Choose what activities need to be done that day and schedule them into your day. Choose only two or three based on importance and do not overload what you think you can do in a day. Knowing that these activities are scheduled will allow you to use the other time for enjoyment.

Especially during times of unpredictability and stress, having a structure and routine helps to feel more organized and in control. Sticking with a structure requires effort and time but the rewards can be well worth it.

We offer the following information:

Self-Care: The Importance of Being Organized

Getting Organized Is A Sign Of Self-Respect… Gabrielle Bernstein

WHAT TO KNOW!

Being disorganized can seriously impact one’s mental health leading to feelings of anxiety, anger, and depression
Started but unfinished projects, “to do” lists, and house clutter weigh heavily upon us and can lead to feeling overwhelmed and overstressed
In addition, clutter can lead to breathing in mold, dust, and other noxious substances that can cause physical problems
Structuring oneself gives a sense of control in unpredictable times like Covid
Being on a schedule for your daily activities will create predictability and decrease the stress that comes from uncertainty
Having a routine can also ensure that what needs to get done, gets done
People often don’t organize because they:
never learned how to organize or prioritize
feel overwhelmed and lack energy to start
don’t have/make the time to invest in decluttering
have difficulty letting go of possessions and bad habits
Benefits of organizing include
feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment
reduced stress and improved sleep
reduced anxiety and depression
increased productivity
healthier eating and exercising
improved relationships
living in a healthier environment

WHAT TO DO!

Put yourself on a schedule; decide whether it is better to have structured blocks of time or a more general attitude of get it done today
Set a daily schedule for waking, eating, working, fun activities, and sleep
Keep active and exercise several times a week
Set realistic goals that can be accomplished
Have a positive attitude and don’t get stuck on things you can’t control
Give yourself a reward when a task is accomplished
When decluttering your home, choose three piles: keep, give away, and not sure, which gets looked at again in 3 to 6 months
Seek professional help if you are unable to structure yourself and feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed

WE PRACTICE TELEHEALTH AND CAN HELP!
Call us at 954 755-2885 or email us at [email protected]

Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates
5551 N University Drive, Suite 202
Coral Springs FL 33067

As always, we are interested in your thoughts. If you would like to respond to this e-Letter, email us your comments at [email protected] and we will publish them next month.

Till November…

The information provided in this electronic newsletter is not a substitute for professional treatment. It is the opinions of the writers and is provided solely for educational purposes. For mental health care, seek a qualified professional.

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