The Connection between Time and Stress Management

You’ve probably heard before that stress is the most common cause of aches and pains, as well as time missed from work. That’s because stress doesn’t just affect us mentally. It’s hard on our bodies, too. That overwhelmed feeling many of us have at work and at home is a big source of that stress which is why understanding the connection between time and stress management is so important. Below are some strategies that can help you achieve both.

Learn to Delegate

The people who seem the most stressed are the controllers. You know the type – you may even be one. These are the people who have to personally handle everything because no one else is capable of achieving the same standards. As a result, they end up being overwhelmed with tasks that could easily be done by their subordinates and that leaves them with less time to deal with the really important projects.

If you fall into this category, you have to learn to go a little. Start out small by delegating a few minor projects. You’ll be amazed how much time it frees up in your schedule.

Take Breaks

One of the worst things to do if you’re worried about time and stress management is to work yourself too hard. No matter how much work you need to get done you must take breaks. Those breaks don’t have to last for hours but ten or twenty minutes here and there can be great for recharging your mental batteries and for keeping you motivated.

If you start feeling stress, go for a walk around the office or do some deep breathing exercises at your desk. You’ve got to fight back that stress because it will interfere with your productivity.

Remove Distractions

Don’t try to deal with your stress through distractions from work. Playing solitaire or watching Internet clips might seem to be helping but your mind still knows you have plenty of work left to do and that’s going to cause you to feel stressed even while you’re enjoying yourself.

If you have trouble resisting distractions on your computer, have them removed or blocked by the IT staff or delete the shortcuts from your desktop. Other distractions, such as chatty co-workers or text messaging, can also be easily removed from the picture. Just remember that focusing on getting your work done and meeting those goals is going to make you feel good and will alleviate a lot of stress.

Become a Planner

Another great way to deal with time and stress management is to start planning your day in advance. Take some time before you go to bed each night to make a list of everything you want to accomplish the next day. By planning this out, you’ll go to bed with a sense of what needs to get done and you’ll wake up feeling ready to get those things done. Make sure to write down your list so you’ll remember it the next day.