Stress is a normal part of life. In fact, it can be very beneficial at times. It helps us to perform better at work, study harder in school and exercise more vigorously at the gym. However, stress can also become harmful when it builds up and affects your health and well-being negatively. When this happens, you must take action by learning how to manage your stress levels to prevent them from becoming overwhelming and potentially destructive.
1. Schedule your errands
When you have a lot of tasks to complete, it can be easy to let them pile up and become overwhelming. To help manage your stress levels, try scheduling your errands in advance, so they don’t take up too much time or energy when they come around. For example, if you need to go grocery shopping, then do it before work or on your lunch break. This way, you won’t feel rushed or pressured by having an overflowing pantry and fridge at home!
In fact, according to a Tel Aviv University study, routines and repetition can help people feel more relaxed. That said, if you’re not one to plan ahead, try setting aside some time each week to do things like book appointments or shop for grocery items. This way, you don’t have as many tasks weighing on your mind and can focus on more important things.
2. Practice self care
Learning to manage your time and energy more efficiently is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. But it’s also easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and forget about taking care of yourself.
So start by getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, doing things you enjoy (exercise, hobbies, or leisure activities), or even just taking some time off from work until you feel better. It may seem like a small thing now, but these small actions can make a big difference in how well you cope with stress down the road.
You should also avoid forgetting about essential appointments, such as getting an upright MRI. This way, you can catch any health problems before they get worse and lead to other complications. In fact, this should be part of your annual physical exam or at least every two years. It’s also important to know your symptoms and when they should be treated as a medical emergency.
3. Make lists of things you need to do and set priorities
Making a list of things you need to do and setting priorities is one of the most effective stress management tips. Once you have identified the goals that are important to you, write them down and put them somewhere where they will be visible, such as on your fridge or in your office. In more recent research, psychologists Baumeister and Masicampo have shown that making a plan for how to do something we’ve been putting off can free us from distraction and even stress.
When it comes time to decide what to do next, consider what’s most important first instead of starting with something easy like cleaning out your e-mail inbox or returning phone calls. This way, when life gets busy and stressful situations occur, there won’t be any questions about what needs immediate attention.
4. Organize your workspace and home.
To stay on top of things, you need to be organized. You can’t manage a busy schedule if you don’t know what’s happening at any given time. That’s why keeping track of all your appointments, meetings, and important tasks is essential.
Examples of organizing your workspace and home are:
- Keep a planner or calendar
- Have a filing system for important documents and bills
- Find ways to reduce clutter in your home and office
- Schedule time to do things.
- Take advantage of organization tools and software
5. Get enough sleep
Sleep is one of the best ways to stay healthy and productive. Lack of sleep can make you feel tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate. In fact, research suggests that the link between sleep deprivation and stress is so strong that not getting enough sleep can change the structure of your brain. It can also increase your risk for many health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. To get the most out of your day, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night—but what’s right for you may vary slightly depending on age or other factors.
To Summarize
This article has discussed some tips on how busy individuals can manage their stress. Hopefully, you’ve found some helpful information that will help you to manage your own stress levels and improve the way you work.