There are a lot of stressors in our lives that we cannot change: the economy, traffic, global warming. However there's one that we can change: clutter. Reducing clutter and organizing our lives can be accomplished, although some help may be needed. The new year is an ideal time to start clean.

Why address clutter on a day that we typically tackle health and fitness? Well, the fact is that organization is a kind of mental fitness — and the stress caused by lack of organization can affect our health. That's a fundamental principle of feng shui, a traditional wisdom.

Dr. Pamela Peeke, author of "Fit to Live" (Rodale, 2007) and a http://WebMD.com blog on everyday fitness, holds that people who get organized are more likely to get physically fit.

"Everybody needs an environment to live in that is conducive to practicing healthy living habits. You can't take a walk if you can't find your sneakers," Peeke wrote in a Sept. 30 blog headlined, "Make the Weight-Clutter Connection."

So, let's get started, shall we?

The critical first step is deciding to declutter and scheduling a date and time to tackle that first anxiety-producing space. In a matter of hours that anxiety can be replaced with relief.

We talked to two super-organized women about how they manage their busy lives. They offered some tips on how others can organize theirs.

BUSY MOM'S STRATEGY

Michelle Kama, 38, of Kapolei, owns an entertainment company called Malu Productions (www.maluproductions.com), coordinating dozens of shows every month. She also works full time as a resource teacher for the state Department of Education and is on track for a Ph.D. in education. Married to Harold Kama Jr., she has three children (Adam, 20; Jessica, 18 and Krissan, 15) and two dogs, as well as a large home that she somehow manages to keep uncluttered.

We caught up with Kama, a chronic multitasker, by phone while she was going through the car wash. She told us that she keeps her life and her sanity together by being super organized.

Kama keeps her day planner, which she prefers to an electronic PDA, with her at all times. "I like to write everything down and be able to look at it," she said.

Her planner is color-coded for her business, her day job and her personal life. Her filing system has the same color code.

Kama has a triage area in her kitchen where she immediately separates everything that comes in the mail. It has five files:

• Read and respond

• Bills

• To be filed

• Shopping and coupons

• Miscellaneous (which she keeps empty most of the time).

She even labels shelves in the fridge: "leftovers," "beverages," "fruits," etc., so no one has to go searching.

Her iPhone is a great time saver, she said, especially for communicating with a group of people. For example, if a show time suddenly changes, she can text everyone involved directly and immediately, without having to get to a computer.

She also lauded Dream Dinners. "Dream Dinners (www.dreamdinners.com) has been a lifesaver for me," she said. "You choose your own meals and put them together and take them home and put them in the freezer." No grocery shopping or food preparation required.

Kama has trained her children to help around the house, too. "Everyone in the household is a contributing member. Everyone takes part in the responsibilities at home," she explained. Sometimes, it might seem like it's easier to just do it yourself, she acknowledged, but in the long run it's worth it to teach your children to help with a variety of chores, from walking the dogs to dishes and garbage duties.

As for clutter, Kama doesn't tolerate it. "My philosophy is that if I don't have room in my closet, then I have too many clothes. If I don't have a place for this, then I don't need it."

PURGE THAT CLUTTER

Jessica Milne, 26, of Mänoa, is a full-time student at the University of Hawai'i-Mänoa, majoring in sustainable development, and works nights at the Yard House. She learned many of her organization skills working as a personal assistant for executives in several companies, and also helps people organize their lives in the time she carves out from her other pursuits.

Milne's key word is: purge. In her view, clutter is the culprit that gets in the way of many potential organizing opportunities.

Milne's friends consider her the declutter master. Her approach: After asking herself four key questions (see below), she sets about organizing one space at a time.

We asked her to walk us through her method for reorganizing a space, using a garage as an example.

Phase 1

"Once you've figured out what you would like to use your garage for, whether it's for housing two cars, creating a space for your new hobby, a playroom for the kids or just organized storage where things can be intentionally found, then you can begin the process of elimination," Milne said.

Before the scheduled purge day, collect boxes or garbage bags for separating things. Other supplies: tape, marking pens, labels and, if possible, some friends to help.

If you are giving away furniture or household items and don't own a truck or have a friend who owns one, Milne suggests renting one, scheduling pick-up by the Salvation Army, 800-728-7825 (800-SA-TRUCK), calling the private franchise 800-GOT-JUNK, or contacting a domestic violence shelter.

"Try to recycle things first," Milne said. You can take building materials to Reuse Hawaii, trade in select electronics at Best Buy for a gift certificate or recycle your old computer at Haztech Environmental Services."

Visit www.opala.org for information on how to dispose of unsafe items such as paints, batteries and tires.

Phase 2

Begin by arranging two piles, "keep" and "don't keep," or putting things in labeled boxes, Milne advised.

Then, break down your "keep" pile, with boxes labeled, for example: recreation, power tools, Christmas, crafts, gardening, turntable and records, "or whatever else you'd like to keep around that you need in order to do the things in life that you love," Milne said.

Be sure to label both the top and sides of the boxes, so you can see them no matter how they are stored.

Phase 3

This is the most important phase, said Milne: "putting it all back nice and neat.

"You've got to make the space functional (with your purpose in mind), as well as esthetically pleasing. Make sure you've got the right shelving or storage for your space. If you're just going to be stacking boxes of things you use once a year in the corner of your garage, make sure they're in plastic bins with sealed lids that will keep your things dry and clean."

Organize things according to category and store them, keeping in mind their function and the frequency with which they are used.

Finding the right containers can inspire reorganization, and can even become a fun shopping trip. Check out Goodwill and Ross for good-looking baskets or boxes. City Mill has a great variety of interesting and attractive storage and shelving units.