Time Management and Stress - 7 Tips To Reducing Stress and Managing Your Time More Effieciently Articles | Stress

By: Connie Ragen Green

Stress and time management are two topics that are closely related. If you are dealing with one you are generally dealing with the other as well. Stress can cause health problems that will have long lasting effects on both your mind and body. Always being in a hurry or feeling that you do not ever have enough time to do what you want and need to do can have a similar effect on the body. Here are 7 tips on how to reduce stress and manage your time more efficiently.

1. Remember that everyone has the same amount of time. Twenty-four hours a day are allotted to each of us, making time the great equalizer.
2. Make a list with two columns. In the first column write down everything that you must do within the next 24 hours. In the second column write down what you would like to accomplish during the next 24 hours if you had enough time. This list will probably be very short because your mind will tell you that you will not have the "extra" time to do any of these things. Pretend that you will have all of the time that you need and see how many of these extra things that you can write down.
3. Spend at least five minutes each morning sitting quietly or meditating. Five minutes is a good place to start because we are usually running behind in the mornings, especially if we have a family to care for and commute to a job outside of our home. During this five minute period try to focus on your breathing and not think about anything else. Set a timer if you need to so that you won’t spend the time thinking about what time it is.
4. Look for times throughout the day that you can sit quietly for even a few minutes. Depending on the type of work you do, going into the bathroom may be the easiest way to find this quiet time for yourself.
5. Make every effort to avoid people or situations that will cause you to become stressed or upset. Let others be right so that you can take yourself out of the situation on an emotional level. This can be very empowering.
6. If you are away at a job all day long, give yourself some time on the way home to have just for yourself. Park down the street for five minutes before pulling up to your house. Close your eyes and visualize what you want for the remainder of your day.
7. Share with your family and close friends how you are feeling. Tell them that you will be taking some quiet time for yourself every day and that you would like their help in making sure that you are not disturbed during this time. By including them in this process they are more likely to be open and supportive.

These 7 tips will get you started on the path toward a stress free life with more time and energy.