Do you feel like you’re constantly battling clutter around the house? You’re not alone, and nothing can feel more frustrating than not being able to locate something when you need it, or wading through piles of items to get there. Below are five, easy organizational tips that can offer major upgrades:

Tension Rod for Pot Lids
If you store your pots and pans in a drawer, install a tension rod along the inside and slip your pot lids behind it. No more rattling pots or hard-to-find tops!

Gallon Bags for Drawers
Organize your underwear or t-shirt drawer by separating your items and storing them in gallon-sized plastic bags. You’ll never lose 10 minutes hunting for that pair of socks again.

CD Holders for Tupperware
Remember those old CD racks? Repurpose them in your Tupperware cabinet by using them to keep your lids separate, sorted and easy to grab.

Repurposed Wine Rack
Gifted a large wine rack that rarely feels full? Use it in a hallway or closet to store shoes, scarves and other items that need to be tucked away.

Muffin Tin Magic
Have a junk drawer that never stays organized? Slip a muffin tin inside to separate your odds and ends.

 

Making eco-friendly changes in the way we live may be easier than you think. Real Simple Magazine lists 10 little tips that can go a long way toward living a “greener” lifestyle:

Start with household cleaners. Switch to plant-based products (read the list of ingredients) that reduce air pollution, minimizing exposure to asthma and allergy triggers as well as chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

Try meatless Mondays. Preparing one meat-free meal per week (for a family of four) has the same impact on the environment as driving a hybrid car. (That’s because of the greenhouse gases produced in raising livestock.)

Buy sustainably-raised meat. Look for labels like free-range and organic, as well as no-hormone and no-antibiotic, which indicate the animal was given ample room to roam and wasn’t treated with hormones.

Upgrade your home’s insulation. Adding insulation to prevent leaky ducts, walls, windows and doors can improve your home’s energy draw by 20 – 30 percent. If that isn’t in your budget, try thermal shades, which block the sun in the summer and retain heat in the winter.

Leave your shoes at the door. Removing your shoes at the door prevents car exhaust, chemicals and pesticides from being tracked all over your home.

Microwave glass only. Heating plastics can cause hormone-disrupting compounds that leach into your food. Plastics labeled “microwave-safe” can withstand a higher temperature, but they are no safer. When microwaving, opt for glass or microwave-safe ceramics only.

Donate, don’t dump. By some landfill estimates, for every item of clothing you donate for re-use, carbon emissions are reduced by 27 pounds.

Choose safer cookware. The materials you cook with have an impact on food. The safest options are cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron and stainless steel. Non-stick pans are problematic if any scraped-off coating gets into your food.

Use fragrance-free products. Many fragrances contain chemicals believed to disrupt hormones, which can be harmful to the ecosystem when washed down the drain. If you like scented soaps, cleaning products or cosmetics, read labels to find those made with essential oils.

Reduce use of pesticides. Control pests indoors by keeping your kitchen crumb-free and sealing any cracks in the walls or foundation. If you do require more pest control, reach for green alternatives. Again, read the labels.

It’s easy to get excited about the idea of working out but soon find yourself feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Having the right mindset and realistic expectations can help you succeed at a new exercise program.

Why Do You Want to Work out?
The reason why you exercise will determine whether you’ll stick with it. Internal motivation is more likely to lead to long-term success than motivation based on external factors. If you want to get in shape to look good at the beach or at your friend’s wedding, you’ll be less likely to stick to an exercise program over the long term than you would if you wanted to work out to have fun, manage stress and make new friends.

Make Exercising Fun and Routine
Many people enjoy working out with a friend. You can offer each other support and encouragement while exercising, and it can be harder to justify skipping an exercise session if you know your friend is expecting you to be there and will be disappointed if you don’t show up.

Try a variety of activities, and find ones you enjoy. That will help you look forward to working out on days when you’re tired or stressed. Switching things up can allow you to exercise different muscles, avoid overworking one area and prevent boredom.

No matter what type of exercise you choose or when you do it, make it part of your normal routine. Once you’ve exercised consistently for a while, it’ll become a habit that you look forward to each week.

Be Realistic
Don’t overdo it at the beginning. Think about your current fitness level and abilities, and do your best. It’s better to start slow and gradually build up your strength and endurance than to try to do too much too soon and get injured.

It takes time to learn anything new. Don’t get discouraged if you try a new activity and can’t do it right or keep up with others at first. Focus on your form and be proud of yourself for making the effort. You’ll become more proficient with time.

If you can’t find time in your busy schedule for a long workout, break it up. Several short, intense workouts can be just as effective as one longer session.

If you don’t meet your exercise goals or you overindulge in delicious food, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just resolve to get back on track and stick to habits that you know are good for you in the future.

Start on the Path to a Healthier Lifestyle
Beginning a new exercise routine is tough, and sticking to it can be even harder. Find activities you enjoy, be realistic about what you can do and focus on gradually improving. If you experience setbacks, realize that they can happen to anyone and stay focused on your goals.

Between working, taking care of kids and maintaining a social schedule, the hustle and bustle of daily life can cause some people to feel exhausted, stressed or both. If you find yourself dragging your feet in the morning, waking up in a funk or dreading a stress-filled day, try to make a little time for yourself to boost your spirits.

Here are a few morning tips to help you take on the day with less stress and more smiles:

Make time to stretch. Stretching reduces anxiety and tension and slows down your heart rate. It can also improve your energy and clear your head. And don’t forget that your body will feel better—there’s no harm in that! A few simple yoga poses first thing in the morning can also reduce stress. Studies have found that people who did a few simple yoga stretches every morning reported less stress and an overall improved quality of life than those who didn’t.

Come up with a ritual. Creating a little ritual you do each morning “just for you” carves out some quality you-time first thing. Giving yourself attention first will allow you to look forward to waking up and help you take on the day with a positive outlook. This ritual can be something as simple as sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee or reading a book for half an hour, or something more complex like working on a novel or learning a new language. Whatever you choose, it should be as essential to your well-being as your daily shower.

Create a secret smile stash. Come up with a few go-to smile-inducers to fall back on if you wake up in a down mood. Stash a collection of photos from vacation with family and friends, love letters from your sweetie, or music that always gets you dancing or lifts your spirits. These little happy-makers could help put a little more pep in your step on your way out the door, and make you ready to take on the day.