Are you feeling busy, overworked and overwhelmed by all of your responsibilities? We all experience times when it can seem as if there’s too much to do, and no chance to relax. Those are the days when life suddenly starts to seem stressful and difficult all of the time, and these feelings can lead to burnout and depression if left unchecked for longer stretches.
When you find yourself buried under too many tasks, the best thing you can do is put the following six action items at the top of your daily to-do list. Make these simple practices a priority every day, and you’ll find that you’re more effective, less stressed and better able to handle challenges and disappointments!
1) Get enough sleep. There’s an old Irish proverb that goes: “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” Regular sleep deprivation will make you less resilient, more stressed, can cause unhealthy inflammation to flare up in your body, and make you less able to keep up your good intentions. Base every day on a good night’s rest, and you’ll immediately notice a difference.
2) Pick the most important task on your list of responsibilities and do it first. You’ll set the right tone for the day, and everything else afterward will seem better and easier. Procrastination always leads to stress. No matter what else happens in your day, you’ll be glad to have gotten this one thing completed – and out of the way.
3) Spend some time outside. Sunshine, fresh air, and time spent looking at flowers, trees, birds and water are all necessary for mental health and clarity. Studies have shown that time spent looking at nature is calming and good for our health. Try eating your lunch in the park, or taking a walk around the block during your break. Or, just stand outside on your porch with your morning coffee or orange juice. Natural sunlight will help you fight fatigue and fresh air will clear out the mental fog. You’ll find this practice will work wonders.
4) Schedule quiet time into your day. Don’t kid yourself – you can always find at least two minutes to stop with the rushing and check in with yourself. You need to regularly make time to pause from what you’re doing and get clear about what’s really happening. This works even better if you remember to stop after each task, check it off your list, give yourself a pat on the back, remember the big picture and breathe before diving back in. Do this regularly to beat aimless anxiety and find your focus.
5) Call a friend. Or, chat with someone at the office water cooler. Call your mother, your spouse, or a best buddy. Just be sure that you choose someone who’s likely to be positive, and try to talk about topics that are fun or uplifting when possible. Even just three minutes is all it takes to disengage and feel a little better about everything. Keeping up your relationships will also give your life meaning and purpose.
6) Take up a hobby. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want to be more effective at your job and feel more motivated in your personal life then you absolutely must find time for fun and creativity. But please note: This isn’t about watching television. Instead, you want to be learning something new – it’s the best way to break out of a funk or longer term rut. To get started, try thinking about what you liked doing when you were 11 years old during your down time. Did you play sports? Were you into crafting? Maybe you enjoyed tinkering and/or woodworking? Do you like to fix up cars or refurbish other items? Really, this new hobby can be anything. Try to spend a few hours doing this every week, or just 30 minutes a day. You won’t regret it. (Just don’t schedule your 30 minutes right before bed… you might stay up too late and not get enough sleep!)
That’s it! All you really have to do every day. If you want a bonus tip, add exercise to this list. Regular exercise – even if it’s only just taking a walk with your dog – will make you smarter and more resilient. Now get moving!