Anyone who's ever gotten sucked into an episode of "Hoarders" knows that clutter can take a psychological toll. According to a study by Princeton University, those shoes with tags still attached, your childhood collection of Beanie Babies and the clunky kitchen appliances you'll put to use "one day" are actually making it harder for your brain to focus and process information.

Clear your space (and your mind) by giving things to a local shelter or donation center. You increase your productivity and also gain a nice chunk of change in tax write-offs. Plus, recycling old things keeps them out of landfills, lowers the amount of resources needed to produce new products and creates jobs in your community. (Note: Watching "Hoarders" while de-cluttering is seriously motivating.)

All friends have benefits -- health benefits, that is. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that people with social connections have a 50 percent higher chance of survival than their isolated counterparts. The study found that being socially isolated is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Time to phone a friend!

To increase your social activity, volunteer your time to a bustling center of activity, like a hospital. Volunteers at hospitals can expect to partake in tasks like manning the gift shop (selling bubble gum cigars to new dads isn't a bad gig) or acting as a translator between hospital staff and patients who speak other languages.

With a world population of seven billion, it's easy to feel like a teeny-tiny fish in a sea of fish-eating sharks. But your actions can make a difference, especially when you consider this statistic: For every pint of blood you donate, you can save up to three lives. Who knew being a hero could be so easy?