This week is National Simplify Your Life Week – and it’s being emphasized for good reason. Without simplifying the many to-do's in your day, it’s easy to let life become overwhelming.
What are the negative effects of committing to too much? A lack of simplification – and an increase in stress - can lead to mood swings, an impaired immune system, a shorter lifespan and even less productivity.
So what can you do about it? How can you start living a healthier lifestyle?
This week, we’re all thinking about how we can simplify our lives, and below are a few of the things we’re trying. If you’re wondering where to start, glance below and see how you can start simplifying today.

1. We all overcommit - and we know that. But what if you sat down with your commitments for the next week and told yourself you had to eliminate 5 of them. What would happen? Going through this exercise will help you not only simplify your life, but it will allow you to think about what you like to do and why you like to do it.
2. Who doesn’t love technology? But if you spent an hour a day without technology, what would it be like? No texting, no TV, no online media – what would you do with those 60 minutes of empty free time? Promise yourself 60 minutes of time each day this week and see what you do with it. And remember – doing nothing is a perfectly acceptable answer.
3. Name a thing you’ve been meaning to fix, and fix it. How many things can you name – right now – that you’ve been meaning to do, but haven’t? Tackle them. Tackle them RIGHT NOW. Getting them off your permanent to-do list will feel like a breath of fresh, simplified air.
4. Cheat a little. Not on an exam or during a meeting – but cheat a little in life. Need a break from work? Call in sick – even if you aren’t. Stressed out with your kids? Call a babysitter, and go get a facial and a massage. You deserve it! Because when you’re happier and less stressed, everyone around you will soak up that happiness too.
5. Prepare for the morning. Always in a rush? Pack lunches the night before. Lay your clothes out on your dresser. Shower at night. Eliminate the things you need to do when you wake up, and soon your mind won’t be filled with a hundred things to do before you even get out of bed.
6. Clutter is often a source of stress. Messy desk? Clean it out. Finances out of control? Sit down and figure them out with a friend, a significant other or an advisor. Part of simplification is controlling those things that feel like they’re out of control. De-clutter your desk, and you’ll de-clutter your mind too.

Above are just a few of our favorite ideas – but, of course, there are many others that will help you simplify an over-complicated life.
Wondering where to start? Think about what you want. What you want to accomplish, what you don’t like doing, and what your priorities are. Clarifying those things and making them your #1 priority will be the first step towards living a less complicated, happier and stress-free lifestyle.