De-Stress by Organizing your Space

By Jade Caswell, LMHC

            Have you ever felt overwhelmed or frustrated in a cluttered, disorganized space? If the answer is yes, there may be new research to explain that feeling. Living in a cluttered environment has been shown to influence stress response and lead to poorer mental health outcomes (Bodrij FF et al., 2021). To explain this, the human brain has an affinity for completeness and organization. Adding clutter to our surroundings can confuse the brain and represent 'unfinished business' in the psyche. This, in turn, can lead to feelings of being irritated, overwhelmed, and feeling out of control.

By reducing disorganization, we can take back a sense of control of our surroundings and focus on present tasks. Research has additionally demonstrated that not only does living in a clean, de-cluttered home influence positive mental health outcomes, but also can have a positive influence on our physical health too (Keith, 2000). Need more motivation to get organized? Being in a cluttered environment may also reduce your brain's ability to process information and limit concentration on tasks (Ognjanovic S et al., 2019). Read more below on how to get started and take back control of your living space.

1. Enlist the help of others--

By having a team (friends, family, etc.) and deciding on a schedule, you may be able to get much more done in a shorter amount of time, while having fun along the way.

2. Setting a timer--

Try time blocking or setting a timer and devote that time to cleaning and organizing your space. Set a timer for a short period of time (10-15 minutes) and see what you are able to accomplish. It may be more than you think!

3. Start Small--

Focus on one room where you spend the most time (living room, bedroom, office) and try to work on just one room at a time. Trying to prioritize too many rooms at once can lead to feeling overwhelmed.

4. Consider donating items you no longer have use for--

For new or unused items, donation can be a great way to give back to the community and provide more motivation to get rid of things we no longer need.

Need more guidance? Please reach out to us! Call our office today at 813-335-9794.

Introducing Life Coaching

  As we move into the month of February, many of us may be re-evaluating our goals, or finding it difficult to stay motivated with resolutions we set at the beginning of the year. Keeping accountable and staying motivated towards goals can be a challenge, however, enlisting the help of a professional life coach can assist you on your journey towards realizing your dreams. Whether you are considering changing careers, wanting to start a new healthy habit, or needing an accountability partner to achieve your goals, our life coaching professionals at SMC are skilled at guiding you towards success.

            While life coaching and therapy are similar, they have a few key differences. Life coaching is often shorter-term and action-oriented, while therapy tends to delve more into the past, process traumas and undercover new insights. Mental health counseling may focus on healing, relieving symptoms of a mental health disorder or trauma recovery. Life coaching is structured to help you set, explore, and define goals, while also monitoring progress towards a specific personal or professional goal.

            While therapists need advanced degrees to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, life coaches do not need any specialized training and may elect to take a certification course. At SMC, our life coaches additionally are equipped to practice therapy and have a wide knowledge of effective goal-setting and motivational techniques to help you reach your goals. We are passionate about helping individuals unlock their potential and pursue their dreams! By Jade Caswell, LMHC

Curious about taking the next step with a professional life coach?

Call us today at 813-335-9794 to start your journey.

Building Trust in Ourselves

By Jade Caswell, LMHC

            Oftentimes, when we hear the word 'trust,' we may first think of trust in the context of a relationship, either with friends, family or a partner. However, we may be neglecting an important facet of trust- which is trust in ourselves! Lacking trust in ourselves may look like second-guessing our decisions, low self-confidence, and trouble making choices. On the other hand, having a solid foundation of trust in ourselves can make it easier for us to show up authentically in relationships, trust others, combats stress, and increases self-confidence. Don't know where to start? Read more below for tips on how to build trust in yourself.

1. Use Compassionate Self-Talk

            It is crucial to take time to bring awareness to how we are speaking towards ourselves. When you tap into this inner narrative, is it harsh and critical? Or compassionate and uplifting? When using harsh self-talk, we erode our view of ourselves and lose trust in who we are.  Conversely, using gentle and kind language can contribute to increased confidence and self-trust.

2. Take Inventory of Strengths

            When you think of your positive characterizes and strengths, what comes up for you? Making a list of strengths and how we utilize them can be important in recognizing what we are proficient and capable of, which in turn builds confidence and trust in the self. Do more of what you're good at, and spend less time focusing on weaknesses!

3. Stick to Values

            Think of your core values... now ask yourself if you are living true to these stated values? If not, this can lead to a feeling of inauthenticity, unfulfillment and ultimately lack of trust in ourselves. Avoiding second guessing ourselves and holding ourselves accountable for our values and life choices are a crucial step in building a foundation of trust in ourselves.

4. Acknowledge and Accept Emotions

            Tapping into our emotions and understanding our emotional worlds can be crucial in self-understanding and trusting ourselves. When we accept and find space for our emotions, instead of avoiding or shutting them out, we learn that our emotions can convey important information about ourselves. Learning to trust ourselves starts with trusting and accepting these feelings, even if we don't always agree with them.

Need more guidance? Please get in touch with us-- call our office today at 813-335-9794.