An Ounce of Prevention: How Time Management Helps Reduce Stress

It feels obvious that time management helps reduce stress. But it's hard to see that when you're scrambling to get everything done. Especially when you didn’t think things through before the day of. 

Everyone knows that feeling of panic. You're up against a deadline at work and the clock is ticking. Or you’ve committed to a self-paced learning schedule that is completely unreasonable and you’re worried you’ll never get it done. The stress is mounting and you can feel the knot in your stomach tighten. If only you had managed your time better!

Time management is key to reducing stress in the workplace, and it's something we can all learn to do better. It is the best tool we have to fight burnout!

Let's take a look at how managing time can prevent that feeling of overwhelm.

How to Time Manage

The first thing to understand about time management is that it's not about cramming MORE in. It's about working smarter, not harder. Time management helps reduce stress, but it doesn’t give you more hours in your day. Here are some tips on how to do it!

Take a break

When you're feeling stressed, sometimes the best thing you can do is step away from your work and take a break. Get up and walk around, get some fresh air, or take a quick power nap. You'll come back to your work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle it with a clear head.

Make a list

A big part of the stress comes from trying to keep everything straight in your head. Make things easy on yourself by keeping a running list of everything you need to do. That way, you can rest assured that you won't forget anything important. And you can focus on one task at a time without getting overwhelmed.

Set priorities

Not everything on your list is going to be of equal importance, so learn to focus on what matters. That way, you can start with the most important tasks first and save the less essential ones for later. This will help you be more efficient with your time and prevent you from getting bogged down with busy work.

How Time Management Helps Reduce Stress

1. You'll have a clear sense of what needs to be done.

One of the main reasons why people feel stressed is because they don't have a clear sense of what needs to be done. When everything feels like a priority, it's hard to prioritize. But if you take the time to sit down and map it all out, you'll feel much better knowing that you have a plan.

2. You'll be less likely to procrastinate.

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity. It's also a major source of stress. If you're putting things off until the last minute, then you're never going to feel like you're in control. Learn how to manage your time and follow a plan. You'll be less likely to procrastinate and more likely to get things done.

3. You'll be able to focus on one thing at a time.

Trying to do too many things at once is a recipe for disaster. Not only will nothing get done, but you'll also feel like your head is spinning. If you want to be productive and reduce your stress levels, then you need to learn how to focus on one thing at a time.

4. You'll start saying "no" more often.

We know time management helps reduce stress, but you can’t manage anything when there’s too much on your plate. Another reason why people feel stressed is because they try to do too much. They say "yes" to every request and end up biting off more than they can chew. If you want to reduce your stress levels, then you need to start learning how to say "no." It's okay to put yourself first sometimes! 

You alone can do it, but you can't do it alone.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to forget to take care of yourself. But if you want to reduce stress, it's important to make time for yourself every day. This means taking a few minutes each day to relax and rejuvenate. Even taking a few deep breaths or reading your favorite book for 15 minutes before bedtime can help. When you make time for yourself, you'll find it easier to manage your time and stress levels.

Time management is a skill that takes practice. But it's worth it when it comes to reducing stress in the workplace. Take breaks, make lists, and set priorities. You can learn to work smarter instead of harder.

So next time you're feeling overwhelmed at work, remember these tips and give them a try! And if you struggle with time management, it might be worth your while to sign up for a session with your Career Coach session hours.

Our expert coaches can help look at your schedule and see where you're struggling. They will then give you the tools you need to manage YOUR life.