Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart

Top Three Productivity Tips

In today's fast-paced world, there is always so much to do and so little time. We all want to be more productive and efficient but often struggle to find the right balance. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a stay-at-home parent, productivity is crucial to achieving your goals. Check out our top three productivity tips that will help you optimize your time and achieve more.

In today's fast-paced world, there is always so much to do and so little time. We all want to be more productive and efficient but often struggle to find the right balance. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a stay-at-home parent, productivity is crucial to achieving your goals. Check out our top three productivity tips that will help you optimize your time and achieve more.

Prioritize Your Tasks

The first step to being productive is to identify your most important tasks. Prioritizing your tasks will help you focus on what matters most and avoid wasting time on less important activities. Start by making a to-do list and ranking your tasks in order of importance. You can use tools like Trello, Asana, or Todoist to help you stay organized and keep track of your tasks. Once you have your list, focus on the top three tasks and work on them first. Completing your most important tasks early in the day will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to tackle the rest of your to-do list.

Take Breaks

While it may seem counterintuitive, taking breaks can increase your productivity. Studies have shown that short breaks throughout the day can improve concentration, reduce stress, and boost creativity. Try the Pomodoro technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. Step away from your desk during breaks, stretch, or take a walk. This will help you recharge and return to your work with renewed energy.

Eliminate Distractions

Distractions can be a major productivity killer. Whether it's social media, email notifications, or the temptation to check your phone every few minutes, distractions can derail your focus and prevent you from getting work done. To eliminate distractions, turn off notifications, put your phone on silent or in another room, and use website blockers like Freedom or StayFocusd. You can also try working in a quiet, distraction-free environment like a library or coffee shop. You can focus on your work and get more done in less time by eliminating distractions.


Productivity is not about working harder; it's about working smarter. You can optimize your time and achieve more by prioritizing your tasks, taking breaks, and eliminating distractions. Remember, productivity is a habit that takes time to develop, so be patient and consistent in your efforts. With these productivity tips, you can become a more efficient and effective version of yourself.


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart

How Clutter Affects Your Mental Health

Is it really that terrible to have a messy home?

Psychology Today reports:

“Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, distracts us, makes it more difficult to relax, makes us anxious, signals our brains that our work is never done, creates feelings of guilt, inhibits productivity, and frustrates us.”

Is it really that terrible to have a messy home?

Psychology Today reports:

“Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, distracts us, makes it more difficult to relax, makes us anxious, signals our brains that our work is never done, creates feelings of guilt, inhibits productivity, and frustrates us.”

  1. It distracts us.

    You want to focus on doing one task, but see the clutter from the corner of your eye, calling for your attention… Next thing you know you’re cleaning up instead of doing the task you wanted to do.

    DO THIS: Clean your space after every use so you start a new day, clutter-free!

  2. It makes it difficult to relax.

    Our environment affects our mood. Clutter is not conducive to a relaxing environment. This frustrates us and stresses us out because we have a visual reminder that our home is not the way we want it to be.

    DO THIS: Designate your room of relaxation as a clutter-free zone. Make a house rule that any other room can get messy except for this one.

  3. It makes us anxious.

    Clutter can make you feel like you’ve lost control of your home because you’ve “let things get away from you,” and now there’s this huge pile of things out of place. It would have been easier to sort through a few items here and there over time, but now you have one giant pile haunting you.

    DO THIS: Ask someone for help to categorize the clutter into groups that you can tackle one by one.

  4. It creates feelings of guilt.

    Do you often criticize yourself and think, “I should be more organized?” That’s the guilt talking. Not everyone is born with the gift or taught the skill of organizing so you can’t expect to magically be organized without first developing the skill.

    DO THIS: Allow yourself to improve your organization skills over time, and to create an organized system for one room at a time.

  5. It inhibits productivity.

    Instead of getting through our to-do lists, we add clutter to the list and create more work for ourselves.

    DO THIS: Give your items a home and be sure to put things back in their homes after use so you don’t waste time looking for them or putting them back at a later time.

If you feel like your clutter has been affecting your mental health, let’s have a conversation.


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Stress Solutions, Notes from Martha-Carol Martha Carol Stewart Stress Solutions, Notes from Martha-Carol Martha Carol Stewart

Organize Your Mail and Paperwork

Do you have a pile of mail and paperwork sitting on your counter or a piece of furniture in your home? Did you try to contain it to a bin that is now overflowing with goodness knows what? Here are a few tips to keep all of your papers organized in a few simple steps.

Do you have a pile of mail and paperwork sitting on your counter or a piece of furniture in your home? Did you try to contain it to a bin that is now overflowing with goodness knows what?

We’ve ALL been there at some point. All the papers that come into our homes can get overwhelming, and, honestly, most of the time is the last thing we want to look at or deal with.

Here are a few tips to keep all of your papers organized in a few simple steps:

  1. Categorize.

    Categorization should be the first step when organizing anything in your home. Put all of your papers into categories such as, things to read, things that need action (like bills), and things to toss.

  2. Take Action.

    While you are categorizing take action! If something is in the junk mail category go ahead and toss it.

    Pro tip: Once the paperwork inside your home is organized, start throwing away your junk mail before it even comes into your home.

  3. Organize and Label.

    Use folders or any form of filing system of your choice to contain the items that you need to keep and label each file. You can even have a file for each member of your household if that makes sense for your family.

Here are a couple of organizing products we like to use for filing our paperwork:

Need help sorting through your paperwork and making sense of it all?


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart

How to Establish and Maintain Routines

A routine is a sequence of events that are repeated over and over again. Simple as that. Yet they are an incredibly powerful tool that can quite honestly change your life. Routines are necessary if we want to get through life without constantly being in a rush. They keep life simple, manageable, and enjoyable. Here are three ways to establish and maintain routines.

A routine is a sequence of events that are repeated over and over again. Simple as that. Yet they are an incredibly powerful tool that can quite honestly change your life. Routines are necessary if we want to get through life without constantly being in a rush. They keep life simple, manageable, and enjoyable. So, how do we establish and maintain routines?

The first step is to make a list of your routines and put it somewhere easily visible in your home until they are committed to memory.

You should create 3 routines.

  1. Morning Routine

    Keep your morning routine as minimal as possible to get you out the door.

  2. After School/Work Routine

    Do what is necessary to start tomorrow strong. If you have kids, this is a good time for them to do homework, repack their backpack, and pack their lunch for the next day.

  3. Evening Routine

    Reset your home, check for last minute to-dos, and put things in place.

Next, you’ll want to eliminate time wasters. Before you get on social media in the evenings, make sure your evening reset routine is done. You’ll thank yourself in the morning when you’re already set up for a successful day.

Lastly, get organized! When everything in your house has a designated home, it becomes much easier to keep up with chores and routines become much simpler.

Having a routine makes a huge difference in your day-to-day life, but routines and organization go hand-in-hand. If you're unorganized, routines are a lot more challenging to establish and maintain. We can get you organized so you can live more simply and less chaotically!


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart

Organizing Outdoor Events: Hosting the Perfect Summer Gathering at Home

Summer is the ideal season for hosting memorable outdoor gatherings in the comfort of your own home. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a cozy patio, organizing a perfect summer gathering requires careful planning and attention to detail. Read more about these essential tips and ideas to help you host the ultimate outdoor event right at your doorstep.

Summer is the ideal season for hosting memorable outdoor gatherings in the comfort of your own home. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a cozy patio, organizing a perfect summer gathering requires careful planning and attention to detail. Read more about these essential tips and ideas to help you host the ultimate outdoor event right at your doorstep.

1. Prepare Your Outdoor Space 

Transform your outdoor area into a welcoming and functional space for your guests. Clean and declutter the area, mow the lawn, and trim any overgrown plants. Set up comfortable seating arrangements, such as patio furniture or cozy lounge areas, to encourage conversation and relaxation.

2. Plan the Menu 

Craft a menu that complements the summer season. Consider incorporating fresh and light dishes such as grilled vegetables, fruit skewers, and chilled salads. Prepare a variety of refreshing beverages, including homemade lemonade or signature summer cocktails. Accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences to ensure all guests are catered to.

3. Create an Inviting Ambiance 

Enhance the atmosphere of your outdoor gathering with carefully chosen decor. Set the mood with string lights, lanterns, or candles for a warm and cozy ambiance. Use colorful table linens, floral centerpieces, and vibrant outdoor cushions to add pops of summer hues and create an inviting space for your guests.

4. Provide Entertainment and Activities 

Keep your guests entertained with a range of activities suitable for outdoor enjoyment. Set up a DIY photo booth area with props for fun and memorable snapshots. Organize classic lawn games like bocce ball, croquet, or a friendly game of volleyball. Consider hiring a live musician or creating a customized playlist to keep the energy high throughout the event.


5. Plan for Comfort 

Ensure your guests are comfortable throughout the gathering by considering their needs. Provide ample shade with umbrellas, sunshades, or a canopy. Set up a designated cooling station with refreshing drinks and fans. Offer bug repellents, sunscreen, and cozy blankets for when the sun goes down.


Hosting a perfect summer gathering at home allows you to create lasting memories with your loved ones. By preparing your outdoor space, planning a delicious menu, creating an inviting ambiance, providing entertainment, and prioritizing guest comfort, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable event right in your own backyard. Embrace the joys of outdoor entertaining and savor the summer moments with family and friends.


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