Wellness

Most of us have a negative image of divas. We usually think of them as enraged women throwing things at their assistants or insisting on outrageous demands.

But it's not always bad to be a diva. In fact, there are actually healthy divas that can thrive in an office, according to research cited by the Wall Street Journal. Healthy ones work hard to be in the limelight and don't mind sharing it. They are also energetic, fun, and positive, which are all good traits in a leader. This assertiveness and confidence stems from the innate belief that they are worth it.

Meanwhile, unhealthy divas can initially seem just as attractive in the beginning, given their confidence and charisma, but can quickly turn people off over time. Their behavior stems from a lack of confidence and a need to prove themselves to others. They can be manipulative, extremely sensitive, and demanding. Unhealthy narcissists can also have trouble controlling their anger and are inflexible with differing opinions from their own.

In short, it pays to be a narcissist, but only if it's coming from a positive place.

When traveling, or simply at the end of a crazy workday, a soothing eye mask is just the thing to relax your worries away. And making your own is a great way to repurpose an old shirt. Filled with scented rice, this DIY eye mask can be warmed or chilled and stays put thanks to an elastic headband. Instead of paying top dollar for a specialty mask, this soother only costs a few dollars to make. And this fun project is a great party activity that doesn't require a sewing machine — just the help of a sewing kit. So call your friends, and get busy making these easy homemade eye masks.

Keep reading for the directions.

It's natural for work to leave you a little stressed, but if you're a frazzled mess from nine to five, it's important to step back and relax. Not sure how to loosen up? From doodling to redecorating, here are 13 easy ways to de-stress during the workday:

1. Finish the tough stuff first. Try to get your most complicated tasks out of the way early in the day so that they're not looming over you for hours. Think of it as a "best for last" technique and you'll start to look forward to your afternoons.
2. Make exercise a priority. Whether it's a quick walk around the block or a full-on gym session during your lunch hour, moving your body is crucial for your sanity. Aim to stretch every hour, too, in an effort to clear your head.
3. Savor your snack. Rather than mindlessly munching on whatever snacks are handy, bring your favorite treat from home and take the time to relish every bite. Make it a healthy bite to really rev up your mood and energy.
4. Connect with a friend. Socializing is one of the easiest ways to distract yourself from everyday anxieties, so call up a pal to chat for a few minutes. Try to avoid any work-related venting and stick to fun, tension-free topics instead.
5. Congregate at the water cooler. It's important to engage with your co-workers on a day-to-day basis. Not only will kitchen small talk free up your mind for a few minutes, but it will also help you build positive relationships around the office.
6. Take five to do something lighthearted. Were you the type who doodled during class? For five (and only five) quick minutes, draw, catch up on Instagram, or browse Pinterest to improve your attitude and recharge your batteries.

Read on for more de-stress tips

The root cause of your clutter can be deeper than you think. Wise Bread makes a case for fixing your mind to fix your mess.

I've been messy since birth. One of the constants in my life has been arguing with my mother over how to clean the house, any house, properly. My neatnik mother is one of those naturally tidy people. You know the type. She's so put-together that she looks like a flight attendant.

"A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind," she'd say, passing me the feather duster. "If that's the case," I'd shoot back, quoting Einstein, "Then what does an empty desk signify?" 

RELATED: Clutter-Free: The Zero-Accumulation Household

I mean, really. Does it even matter that I have a messy mind?

I asked my friend Dr. Regina Lark, who chairs the Education Committee of the National Association of Professional Organizers, if there's any connection between a messy desk and a messy mind.

"Of course," she said.

Fudge.

I hate losing arguments to my mom.

To quote Regina, "There are people who are genetically messy because their brain is hardwired for non-linear thinking. They are very right brained and artistic. They are out there in the world. They are social. They'd rather do anything other than file. So when these people come home, they get an idea for a project, and everything else just goes on the floor."

Uh oh. As of this moment I count seven, SEVEN unfinished projects in my living room alone. On the floor. Of course.

So, how do non-linear thinkers clear their internal and external space? For me, this means less about relieving the footprint of clutter and more about maintaining a level of organization that allows me to spend the maximum amount of time pursuing creative projects.

I asked Regina how she would handle a client like me. "We'd develop a workaround for you. We'd find a fix that would solve the mess but not make you feel like you are losing your creative edge. For example, I have clients who have piles of clothes cluttering their bedrooms because they hate hanging up their clothes. They argue that, 'the clothes are just going to come off the hangers anyway so why put them on the hangers to begin with?' Since I'm never going to convince the clients that hanging up their clothes isn't a total waste of their time, my attitude is, 'If you just can't stand putting your clothes on hangers, let's go get you some really awesome looking hooks.' Take the sticking point — the hangers — out of the equation."

Read on for more.

The first step to taking care of yourself and de-stressing is to make sure that your environment is in order. Seeing your house full of clutter can affect your mood negatively and make your personal space seem like a place you want to escape from, rather than something to look forward to coming home to. Organize a "throwing out" day every month to make sure that you don't have clutter building up. Here are some things you should consider purging from your home:

• Old magazines. Get rid of old magazines you have lying around because chances are, you aren't going to read them again. Find places where you can donate your magazines to such as child care centers, doctor's offices, nail salons, nursing homes, and libraries. If there's an article that really speaks to you, scan a digital image of it and keep it in your computer. Or keep a folder of magazine clippings if you like saving magazine articles.
• Receipts, bills, and documents. Throw away receipts for items that you aren't planning on returning, and ones that you won't need to use come tax time. If you're wary of throwing away receipts, you can make a digital copy of them with a basic scanner, a pricey specialized receipt scanner ($174), or a smartphone app ($2). See here for a full list of documents you should keep forever or temporarily.
• Clothes. Use the two-year-rule for clothes — get rid of apparel that you haven't worn in two years. Sell them to a thrift store (find a thrift store at thethriftshopper.com) or donate them to the needy.
• Books. Go through your bookshelf and gather together books you haven't touched in months and ones that you aren't planning on rereading. Be realistic and make sure you're ruthless. If you haven't touched it in a year, you're most likely not going to read it again. Sell the books on Amazon, Craigslist, or eBay. You can even trade them for something else on swap.com. You can always donate them as well!
• Medicine and vitamins. Take a look at your medicine closet and clear out drugs that have expired, medicine that has sat on your shelf for too long, or ones that you no longer use. First, check to see what the proper disposal methods are for the medication, and if you can't find any, check to see if your community has a drug take-back program. If there isn't a program near you, then the FDA advises mixing medicine with "used coffee grounds or kitty litter" in a container or sealable bag before throwing it away to make the drugs less appealing.

Read on for more.

If you find that you're still clutching your phone at the end of the day checking for emails and texts, then it's time to take a deep breath and get grounded. When you're overly preoccupied with work or social networking, you are more apt to miss out on what really matters: friends, family, and taking care of yourself. Here are a few simple ways to stay grounded even when you have a stacked schedule.

• Walk to work: Head outdoors and spend time with nature. Walk to work or park a little farther than usual and enjoy a brisk stroll. Even if you're walking on a busy city street, being outdoors helps keep you grounded. Listen to the sounds around you, smile at strangers, and take a few deep, cleansing breaths.
• Observe your thoughts: Spend a few moments sitting quietly with your eyes closed, and observe your thoughts. Focus on what you're thinking about, and remind yourself that it's OK to take a few minutes for yourself. Staying in tune with yourself keeps you on top of negative emotions and stress.
• Eat healthy: Picking up meals on the run seems like the best way to sneak in a bite to eat during a busy day, but fast food doesn't do your body good. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables keeps you connected to the Earth and nature and in tip-top shape mentally and physically.
• Enjoy a long foot soak: At the end of a busy day, put down your phone and soak your feet in a hot bath. A few moments of silent relaxation will help you stay in touch with yourself.

Keep reading for more ideas.

Spring is such a happy season — we're all thawing out from the chills of Winter and looking forward to this new season of renewal. Here is a list of suggestions of ideas that will help you ring in the end of Winter and the start of Spring.

• Plan a vacation. If the Winter doldrums didn't inspire any vacation plans, then start planning for a trip this year now. Studies have shown that planning a vacation can bring a lot of joy to the traveler.
• Clean your home so you'll feel better and less stressed in the place you live.
• Tend your garden or start one. It's time to celebrate all things green this season!
• Bring flowers into your home cut fresh from the farmers market.
• Visit a national park nearby to admire nature at its finest.

Read on for more.

It's hard to wait, and being patient can be a practice that takes effort. From waiting for an important call to remaining calm when making decisions, staying composed is a practice that shows intelligence and self-control. Here are a few tips for having more patience the next time you find yourself feeling a bit too eager:

• Deep, slow breaths: When you're in the moment and can't seem to get a grip, take five slow, deep breaths. While breathing, imagine yourself calming down until you feel in control.
• Timetable: The best way to create a composed demeanor is to learn how to keep your emotions in check. Take note of the times of day you seem impatient, what is happening, and how the elevated mood could be avoided. Sometimes simply being aware of times that are challenging helps keep your emotions in check.
• Practice active listening: Whether at the office or out with your besties, active listening encourages you to really listen and respond to what you hear, encouraging patience. Active listening engages the listener to re-state or rephrase the information heard back to the speaker. This creates greater understanding and reduces tensions, building a calm atmosphere for all participating in the conversation.

Keep reading for more tips.

Congratulations! You've made it through yet another tough workweek. Sometimes, when the daily grind is too grueling, it's hard to take your mind off work and transition to weekend mode. Here are some tips to help you kick back and relax.

• Manage your schedule. Do your best to juggle your schedule so you're not doing work on the weekends. It's really hard to stop thinking of work when you're actually doing work on the weekends. If you have too many tasks to do, then experiment with working a little later on the weekdays, or talk to your boss about your workload.
• Detox from tech. Time for a digital detox! This is the perfect way to take your mind off your job. Enjoy the simple pleasures of life without being tethered to an electronic device. If you're reluctant to disconnect from technology, then try this instead: hide your work phone and don't check your work emails.
• Meditate. Ohmm . . . Clear your mind and detach from the weary working world. Meditation is a great way to separate yourself from life's stresses, which includes your thoughts about the daily 9 to 5 as well! FitSugar has some great meditation tips, which include focusing on your breathing and setting an alarm to let you know when you're done.

What do you do on the weekends to take your mind off work?