This is how you feel better organized in the Back to School season

The temperatures are falling, balmy evenings are giving way to cool, breezy early autumn nights, and after the summer break the return to normality is noticeable. Whether you're a student or not, for many of us September will always be a time of "back to school", getting back into routine and feeling organized. However, after several weeks in vacation mode, it can be difficult to feel somewhat organized again, and research shows that feeling disorganized can also increase feelings of stress and anxiety. Conversely, measures such as writing clear lists, decluttering and creating a clear plan for our daily routine have been proven to be extremely effective in reducing stress and helping us achieve our goals more efficiently. Whether you're looking to get back to the classroom, get back to a more "normal" routine, or simply want to feel more organized and less overwhelmed as we move into a different season, get inspired by our top 5 ways to feel more organized amid the "back to school" season.

Prioritize

One of the biggest things that can make us feel overwhelmed and disorganized is when we feel iteverythingmust be doneat the moment.From paying bills to planning family gatherings to weekly shopping and making time for exercise, sometimes it feels like we don't have enough time to do everything the world wants us to do. The first way to solve this problem is to stop and take a close look at the tasks you need to complete. Organization and business expert Stephen Covey wrote the bookThe 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, and in it he presents a way to categorize our tasks to make them less overwhelming, more achievable, and better use of our time. The four categories include:

1. Dringend und wichtig
2. Nicht dringend, aber wichtig
3. Dringend, aber nicht wichtig
4. Nicht dringend und nicht wichtig.

If you don't know where to start on your to-do list, use the(link removed)To write these four categories and list them in each of their to-dos. Everything in the box "urgently and important" signals that you want to tackle these tasks first, while everything in the box "not urgent and not important" can wait for later. Whether you use a notebook like that(Link away),Or a planner like the(Link away)If you write down your tasks instead of having in your head, this can make a big difference and make you much more feasible.

Clear out

According to studies, living in a messy environment is one of the biggest triggers for clutter and stress. Holistic systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda have known this for thousands of years and have developed methods such as Vastu and Feng Shui to help us rebalance our lives by living in a more orderly and tidy home. However, the act of decluttering itself can often feel like a daunting task and just somethingdifferentput on the to-do list. To make this task easier and feel more organized, start by choosing just one area to tidy up. It could be the kitchen, the bedroom or even your wardrobe or underwear! Use that(Link away)to keep your props and mat in one place, and once your room feels tidy and calm, fill it with the scent of(Link away)

Take in a morning routine

How we spend our morning has a big impact on how we feel the rest of the day. Hitting the snooze button, then rushing through your morning and skipping breakfast sets us up for a frazzled and anxious day, while waking up early to maintain a calm and consistent morning routine can completely change the way we navigate the entire day ahead of us. Help yourself feel more organized by setting your alarm a little earlier and having at least an hour before you have to go to work. Soothe your skin with this(link removed),,sip a tea out of it(Link away)Step on yours(link removed)for a few rounds of sun salutations and enjoy a breakfast recipe from(Link away)Whether you want to make your morning routine elaborate and luxurious or super simple, the most important aspect is that it is sustainable and realistic enough that you can do it daily and benefit from it, allowing you to face the day more organized and calm.

Take time for peace and quiet

Do you ever feel like you're surrounded by noise and have little time for yourself? With so much to do and so many different things demanding our attention, it's easy to feel disorganized if we neglect our need for a few moments of peace. The thing is, even when we feel incredibly busy, many of us actually have a lot more moments of peace and quiet than we think - we just tend to fill those moments with social media or scrolling through the news. Next time you're in a line, on public transportation, or waiting for a friend, instead of reaching for your phone, take a break to enjoy this moment of peace. Paul Greenberg's(link removed)contains 65 bite-sized, device-free activities scientifically proven to promote true happiness. Moments of calm can help us feel more organized and less overwhelmed, giving the brain a much-needed moment of rest, which research shows is much more efficient than trying to constantly be “on” and focused for hours. Get inspiration from meditation and yoga experts to make peace and tranquility a regular practice(Link away)which helps you find peace and presence in stressful everyday life.

Know when you have to say "no"

Especially as we approach fall and the “yin” seasons, this is the time to exercise your right to say “no” when necessary. Especially if your summer has been busy, social, and full of late nights and early mornings, it's time to slow down and get back to your center. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, late summer and early fall are ruled by the earth element and are a time to return to our roots and rebalance before transitioning into an entirely new season. If you're feeling more introverted and tired, empower yourself to say "no" to invitations if you want and opt for a night out instead(link removed)to help you relax and let go so you can face the next day refreshed, clear-headed and organized. For more bathing inspiration, see(link removed),and treat yourself to(Link away)for an extra portion of luxury.

Try one of our top tips to feel more organized this “back to school season,” whether you want to get back into the classroom, your regular work routine, or just want to feel less overwhelmed and more organized.