Simplify Your Life

Last week I posted about how to unwind and de-stress after a long day. Today, I’d like to share with you the simple changes I’ve made in my every day life, to help stress less during the week!

Plan your meals (my number one recommendation!) 

I like to eat healthy, and I’ve found I can do this best if I cook at home, using all healthy and fresh ingredients. To use ‘fresh’ ingredients requires a weekly trip to the grocery store. Every weekend before I head to the store I plan out my meals for the week, so I know exactly which ingredients I need to buy. This not only helps me to save money on groceries I don’t need or can’t use, but also makes for very fast and efficient grocery trips!

A sample ‘menu’ for this week looks like this:
Monday – Beef stew

Tuesday – Southwest Chicken Salad

Wednesday – Salmon

Thursday – Chicken sausages and whole wheat pasta

Friday – Slow cooker chicken tacos

I know exactly what I need to buy each weekend and I can also prep my meals the night before (example, chopping up veggies or mixing sauces) so I can make them that much faster the next day. I’ve also become a fan of my slow cooker. Nothing beats coming home from a long day at work and having dinner prepared already!

I keep a magnetic notepad on my fridge with the weekly menu, as well as an ongoing shopping list so I can add things as I run out through the week.

Family Calendar

My husband and I both use Google Calendar to help us keep up to date on events and each other’s schedules. I’m sure there are other free calendars that are available as well, but Google Calendar works well since we both use Gmail.

I place events on his calendar that he needs to plan around, for example, ‘Dinner with Mom and Dad on Sunday at 1pm.’ We both have smartphones, so it makes it easy to check our calendar on the go and make plans. It’s also helpful to add to each other’s calendar when we’ll be traveling for work, so I know not to cook dinner for him or he knows not to expect me to be home.

Plan your outfits

Don’t you hate when you get the feeling ‘ugh, I have nothing to wear!’ It happens to all of us, and I’m sure it’s just because we are searching for a last minute outfit. I like to pick my outfits out the night before. This way I can steam them if they have wrinkles, choose accessories, nail polish and makeup to match. This shaves off at least 15 minutes of my morning routine…15 more minutes I get to sleep!

What are things that you do to help simplify your life? Please share!

Sprint is the only national carrier that has truly Unlimited data for all phones while on the Sprint network with the Everything Data plan. No throttling, no metering and no overages. Plus you get Unlimited text and calling to any mobile.  It’s the simple plan that allows you to use data on your phone the way it should be used.  Visit http://bit.ly/xK6WDo

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sprint via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sprint.

Don't Stress!

Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. I was the biggest worrier out of my friends growing up, always stressing out about little details, and it look a lot of years to learn how to effectively manage my stress. I've come a long way, but stress management is something I think I'll work on forever.

When I feel myself getting stressed, or know I'm heading into a stressful situation (example, daily commute to and from work!) I like to treat myself to something fun or relaxing, to help keep my mind off the situation and to help me relax. Here are few things I do, some on a daily basis!

Cup of joe for my commute – I drive, without traffic, about 30 minutes to and from work each day. When there’s bad weather or construction, it can take almost an hour, which leaves Angela not so happy! I love to get in the driving zone with my favorite music station and sip on a cup of flavored coffee I brewed that morning. Having a nice hot drink for the ride makes traffic more bearable. 

Coffee not your thing? Take time in the morning to make yourself a tea, pour yourself a glass of OJ, or even water with a splash of lemon. Treat yourself to a fun travel mug and you’ll have something to take your mind off of traffic and the stress out of your commute.

Take a walk – It’s winter in Michigan but today the temperature was 65 degrees! Put on a light jacket and take a walk, even just around your block, to get your blood flowing and to get fresh air (and hopefully some sunshine too). Having a bad day at work? Take a break or walk during your lunch break. Exercise will help take your mind off of work and/or other stressful situations in your life, and will make you feel better. Plus, you can’t argue the health benefits of regular exercise.

Wine down – I hate to promote drinking…but a glass of wine can work wonders! I like to buy the single serving wine bottles from the grocery store when on sale. And I’m always the first to snatch up the latest Groupon or Living Social wine deal to stock up for company and myself (and for impromptu hostess gifts!).


Take a bath – End your day and de-stress with a bath. Treat yourself to a new scented bubble bath product and relax. I keep a basket (pictured below) of fun bath bubbles, gossip magazines, my e-reader and candles by my bath tub. Include a glass of wine and you’ll forget all about that busy and stressful day you just had. 

Please join in on the conversation below and share how you take the stress out of your day!

Sprint is the only national carrier that has truly Unlimited data for all phones while on the Sprint network with the Everything Data plan. No throttling, no metering and no overages. Plus you get Unlimited text and calling to any mobile.  It’s the simple plan that allows you to use data on your phone the way it should be used.  Visit http://bit.ly/xK6WDo


Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sprint via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sprint.