As the summer nears its end, our relaxing days of leisure start to become hectic and stressful. Coordinating pickups to and from school, being on time for afterschool sports, or occasionally being summoned to chaperone a field trip can be taxing on your body. Add those things and more to your list of responsibilities and it can feel like you are being suffocated. This is why it is important for your morale, health, and general wellbeing to take steps to simplify your life.

How do you simplify? Think of your life as though it is a meal. You have to work your way through the appetizers before finishing the main course; and never forget to treat yourself with a little dessert.

Here are 5 ways you can simplify your life.

Completely Disconnect:

Getting some quality “me time” is a great first step to giving your body some much-needed attention. People may disconnect in different ways. Some may need to leave all electronics alone and meditate in a place of silence, while others take this time to exercise. A digital detox may help simplify and contribute to better sleep. If you need to go crazy on the drums, sunbathe on a lawn chair, or even take a nap to disconnect and simplify, do it.

Make Your Lunch The Night Before:

Getting lunch at work can lead to two things: a plummeting bank account, and eating unhealthily. Since most people have to make lunch decisions on the fly, the chosen foods end up being unhealthy lunch options. Packing your lunch the night before is a much healthier, and less stressful, option. If you have kids, you can also pack their lunches the night before. By doing that, you have less to do in the morning, which means you can slow things down and start your day with little to no stress.

Get Rid of Old Clothes:

We know it can be hard to part with clothes, especially that one pair of pants you bought for that one occasion, or that shirt you thought looked good but actually doesn’t. Getting rid of clothes, and other things in the house you don’t use, can feel liberating. Sometimes we feel that keeping things is healthy, when the sight of them can actually cause us stress. Try releasing some items from your closet. Not only will you make faster dress decisions, but you’ll feel a lot better too.

Evaluate Relationships:

Everyone knows one or two people that can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. As a good friend, you may feel obligated to extend yourself to these people, but it’s also important to take care of yourself. If that means distancing yourself from certain people, then that is a step that you need to take. Simplifying your social life is not terrible. In fact, you’ll notice that your relationships or social interactions serve your life, as opposed to causing more stress.

Carry a Water Bottle:

This may sound like it won’t simplify your life, but it actually does. A lot of people worry about not drinking enough water, which means they are thinking about living healthy. Then you spiral into a stress inducing thought process along the lines of: “Maybe I’m not healthy in other ways, and I should do something about it, but I don’t have time.” Hydration is not only healthy, but it also keeps you lively. There are many reusable water bottles, which you can choose from, that can keep water cold throughout the day. Taking this one simple step may set you in a new, simplified, healthy direction.

You don’t have to carry a burden all the time. Let things come and go and don’t worry if everything doesn’t go as planned. Take joy in the simple pleasures and make sure you pepper them into your day. And spoil yourself from time to time; you deserve it.