To some people, reorganization can be likened to creating a budget. You not only have to be detailed but also have to take out time to make sure you outline your income and expenses. However, if you do not take the time to perform this somewhat laborious task, you can also suffer from a great deal of tension – mainly in the form of stress and anxiety.

We become anxious because we don’t take the time to prioritize or organize ourselves. Because of this, we often cannot see the forest for the trees. Not only do we become overwhelmed, we have a harder time differentiating between what is important and what is not so pressing.

Have you ever observed how a well-managed person operates? She is usually the cool and collected woman who knows where everything is at all times and calmly goes about her day-to-day tasks with neatness and precision. How can she be so calm and confident? She only has one secret key – and it opens the door to a process known as organization and self-management.

Separate, Distinguish and Prioritize

Since organization is what you want to strive for in relieving anxiety – forget the anxiety pills or hypnosis. Following a methodical course will help you heal. You need to know this 3 step process: how to separate, distinguish and prioritize. These are the three main activities related to organization and will lead to stress relief. The following ideas will help you learn to separate, distinguish and prioritize things in your life.

Get Rid of the Items You Don’t Use or Need

Besides learning to separate, distinguish and prioritize (SDP), there are basic rules to follow about organization. In order to understand the basic process of SDP, you first need to clear away any kind of clutter. Simply put, you need toget rid of the items you don’t use or need.

You probably can make a list of at least 20 possessions you never use or haven’t used in the past year or more. For example, an almost used-up bottle of shampoo or some old magazines that you have not opened since the last millennium. These items can certainly be discarded or removed from a drawer or shelf. Take a moment to go through your closets and drawers to weed out clothing you haven’t warn in the past 10-12 months. Bag them up and make a trip to your local Salvation Army or homeless shelter. Someone will definitely be grateful to find your ‘giveaways.’ The garage and bookshelves are other key areas to ‘weed through’ periodically and purge of unused items.

Learn to Say “No”

You also have to learn to simply say “No,” something that is difficult for most people to do. However, when you start to learn what is important and not so important in your life, the word will be easier to say. Too often you agree to do too many things in the name of ‘helping’ our family and friends. You have to take care of yourself and your immediate family first or you will have nothing left to give or share with anyone else. This does not mean that you need to be utterly selfish and don’t help anyone else out now and then. By saying, “No” you are setting certain boundaries, which will help you prioritize what needs to get done from what others would like to have done. This in turn will help you beat stress and stick to the activities you can complete and that are realistic to accomplish each day.

Take Care of Incoming Correspondence Right Away

In getting acquainted with the organizational process, you will also want to manage your paperwork and take care of any incoming mail as soon as it is received. Don’t just throw it aside for later review. Chances are you may never look at it. The rule of thumb with this one is, “Let it pass through your hands only once, if possible.”

Plan Your Daily Schedule Ahead of Time

Planning is an essential part of organizing. If you feel at loose ends, you can tie them up by organizing your schedule for the next day. If you are always running late, leaving the house without everything you need or forgetting appointments, you need to plan your daily schedule when you get home each night. Make lunches the night before. Decide what clothing is needed for the next day and make sure it is clean and presentable. Gather any items you need to take with you and have them by the door ready to grab on the way out in the morning. Set reminders on your phone or calendar so you don’t miss important appointments or events.

Enjoy Some Quiet Time – Make Some Time for “Me Time”

Being organized also means making time for yourself. If you don’t allow some time for yourself, even planning a daily schedule can become grueling. Making time for yourself means actually relaxing at least 30 minutes per day, whether you are sipping tea on the porch or enjoying some quiet time in the bath. When you can treat yourself and make it a priority, you will have all the motivation you need to stay organized and less stressed. Try adding some of these other simple remedies for relieving stress to your daily or weekly routine.