5 Tips to Survive A Super Busy Schedule
How To Balance The Necessities Of Life
With businesses and schools reopening, daily schedules have taken on a revived meaning. For most families, online platforms are still being utilized by the masses to limit close contact with co-workers, peers, and the community.
For others, attending in person tasks such as work, or school has become a necessity to support the household. Between the virtual world and the real world, schedules have become super busy once again.
While it feels good to be useful again, sometimes the word “yes” can lead to exhaustion, overtaxing and restlessness.
According to recent report from Forbes magazine, “Burnout is on the rise. Over half (52 percent) of survey respondents are experiencing burnout in 2021. Millennials and Gen-Z generations are reporting close to the same numbers, 53 percent and 58 percent respectively, are experiencing burn out from this year alone.”
Consistently burning the candle at both ends only leads to fall out and regret.
Instead, follow these five techniques to survive a super busy schedule while remaining focused and healthy…
1. Use mini self-care practices every day – While there may not be time to do a full yoga session, stretching your muscles and using deep breathing patterns can alleviate afternoon sluggishness and allow you to remain more focused when it counts.
For those that have a physically challenging career, the same standards apply. Everyone needs and deserves breaks, especially those that are susceptible to total depletion, like children and adolescents.
Practicing these short and positive techniques will allow your body and mind to feel appreciated, leaving you rewarded with natural energy and a calm demeanour.
Give yourself a goal to take a ten-minute break every few hours.
Use one of the rest periods for a quiet activity, such as listening to music and having a healthy snack like celery and peanut butter. Focus on proteins and hydration.
Afternoon breaks should be reserved for physical activity such as a short walk around the company property or neighbourhood.
Afterwards, indulge in a nutritious fruit smoothy to replace lost calories and carbs while exercising.
Instead of reaching for yet another coffee, remain dedicated to drinking water until the end of the day.
2. Stay on a routine – Trying to master an extremely busy schedule comes with its own challenges.
Not only do you have to balance the tasks that are necessities, such as work or school, but include all social engagements and family time.
In short order, engagements start getting neglected and the pressures of work start taking up all your personal time. Family time falls to the bottom of the list, as we accept this as a constant in our lives.
This can lead to more disagreements with partners and unruliness among children when their time is limited with their loved one…you!
Instead of trying to do it all, check into a schedule. Smartphones today offer multiple organizing tools that assist you in tracking daily tasks. They also can alert different sounds and lights to keep the user on track.
Over time, these sound bites trigger the user to automatically change course when they recognize the alert.
While these apps can get you on a more balanced schedule, it is up to you to start saying no to added requests. This gives you back the power to feel more in control of your own much needed time.
3. Stop feeling guilty about your time off – Everyone needs a break from the daily grind. Therefore, schools and offices are closed on the weekends. The body and mind need rest, proper nutrition, and self-care for mental health.
To keep growing intellectually and remain healthy as we age, time off is just as important as the job itself.
However, by piling on more engagements in your personal schedule, less time is given to yourself resulting in poorer physical health and deteriorated mental health.
Instead of trying to do all of these added tasks in a row, break it down to every few days. If gardening is a favourite pastime, take one hour every other day and focus on addressing your hobby.
This also helps the brain remember other items you want to include without overstimulating the senses at once.
To help keep it fresh on your mind, add a small note to your online scheduler so you can stop off on your way home, saving time and preventing unneeded anxiety.
4. Keep the pantries full – Nothing can be as frustrating of working all day, only to come home to an empty fridge. Out of peer exhaustion, food delivery once again feeds the family.
While this is convenient in the short run, the cupboards continue to go bare. Not only does this give the go ahead to eat more processed foods but also leaves the body and mind feeling lethargic and spent.
Instead, turn your own kitchen into a one stop shop. Keep grab and go snacks, such as fresh vegetables or fruits, available to the family.
Utilize your crockpot more often for a home cooked meal that is ready and hot when you arrive home in the evening.
Encourage each capable family member to do their part in preparing and choosing menus for the week. This makes everyone feel included and more satisfaction is felt all around.
5. Do not lose track of the big picture – While working in a job brings money and stimulation, what is the main goal? Do you see yourself moving up or away from your current position?
Whatever your stance may be, remaining healthy and mindful is priority number one. If overtime it is affecting your family obligations and personal necessities, it is time to step back.
This does not mean running away, but re-evaluating your priorities. Look over your schedule to see if there are certain habits that might be hindering your success by taking up too much time.
Choose a more realistic and positive approach when re-sorting your commitments.
If having drinks with work colleagues every Friday night after work is starting to interfere in the things you want to do on your time off, speak up. Your peers cannot read your mind and are relying on your honesty and feedback.
When expressing your dismissal, keep excuses out of the picture. Simply relate that you will be skipping this week’s meet up but appreciate the offer.
This leaves your office friends feeling neutral and judgment free, making for a calm Monday morning.
In conclusion – Busy schedules do not have to be your undoing. By following these uncomplicated techniques, your energy, both mentally and physically will be more giving and less exhausting.
As Rashid Jamal once said, “Respect time, time will give you respect.”
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