5 Health Benefits of List Making
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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Making a list will make you more organized, productive and efficient. But did you know that there are actual health benefits to list making too? Yes – it’s true. I’ve spoken with psychologists and surgeons about this topic and they’ve all said the same thing: lists will help you be healthier. Whether you’re writing down healthful goals or just making grocery lists — the benefits are equal:
1. Reduce Anxiety: How many times have you said “I have a million things to do – how am I going to get it all accomplished?” A list will help to ease those fears. As soon as you start writing things down on paper (or in your smartphone) and get it out of your head — your stress levels will drop.
2. Boost Your Brain Power: The act of making a list uses parts of your brain that might not normally get used. So you’re working your brain power and staying sharp as your organizing your life. Dr. Cynthia Green wrote a guest post all about how list making can save your brain.
3. Improve Focus: Using your list as a roadmap will help you to keep your eye on the prize. Having a tool to keep your focus will help you in all aspects of your life. You’ll find that soon you are getting much more done throughout the day and have time to do the things you really love.
4. Increase Self Esteem: One of my favorite things to do is to cross something off my list. Once you do this you will feel an amazing sense of accomplishment. Sometimes I even write things down that I’ve done even if they weren’t on my list — just so I can cross them off! This boost of self esteem really helps to keep you motivated and productive.
5. Organize Your Thoughts: I like to get all my thoughts down on paper. If I write a list and think about all the steps that will help me accomplish my goal — I feel much more prepared to tackle that task. If you declutter your mind and write out a list your thoughts will be less jumbled in all areas of your life.
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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Love this list! I must say it is a wonderful feeling to cross an item or two off a to-do list. It empowers you to keep getting things done. And as I am always promoting exercise as a way to reduce anxiety, I love finding other activities that do the same. So here’s to a list-making and fit year ahead!
Thanks Laura! Crossing off tasks is basically my favorite thing to do 🙂
I think organizing of my thoughts is the biggest advantage to making lists. Usually when I have too much on my mind writing things down always helps to clear things up.
Hi Ralph — thanks for your comment! I totally agree with you — getting things down on paper really helps to ease your mind!
I always say the exact same thing 🙂 thanks for reading