Today we know that work-related stress, mainly caused by excessive working hours, can lead to various illnesses, putting our physical and mental health at risk.
According to research on stress, poor time management is one factor that can trigger or exacerbate it. Hence the importance of learning how to manage this valuable resource, especially in this fast-paced era that gives the feeling that days and hours are less productive.
There are several reasons why we may feel that we do not have enough time; among the main ones are a lack of organization and planning, the absence of priorities, distrust when it comes to delegating tasks to others, working only to deal with urgent matters, and accepting more tasks due to not knowing how to set limits.
Learning to manage time helps us find space to do all the things we want and need to do, which involves deciding which matters are urgent and which can wait. Managing time can be difficult, but practice makes perfect, making life less stressful and more fulfilling.
Experts in administrative management point out that time management consists of three fundamental pillars: prioritizing activities and tasks, that is, learning to distinguish what is urgent from what is important; stopping procrastination; and managing commitments to oneself.
Managing time implies making intelligent and efficient use of it, which requires discipline, planning, and patience.
Below, we provide some strategies to manage your time and reduce work-related stress:
Design a timeline and set goals, as this will help you have a clearer idea of how much time it will take to achieve what you are looking for, as well as focus your energy on what you want to accomplish. It will also help you plan your time more efficiently. Dedicate at least half an hour before your morning workday to review your daily activities and set the goal of tackling the most complex task first, so you can get it out of the way as soon as possible.
Create a detailed description of your position that includes functions and responsibilities, establishing realistic goals.
Implement a daily routine that works for you and try to follow it with discipline and responsibility; this will help you be more productive and see results in the short term.
Avoid distractions. We know that social media, which is now always within reach, is one of the main distractors, so to stay focused on your tasks, silence your cellphone and close all browser tabs on your computer to concentrate on getting through your day-to-day work.
Try to keep your space and desk organized so you do not have to look for papers with important notes. Throw away what you do not need and keep only what is truly necessary for your activities.
Learn to delegate tasks, as this will reduce your workload and allow you to be less stressed and more productive.
As attractive or irresistible as a new work project may seem, it is important to know when to say no.
Remember to take short breaks during your workday to relax, do breathing exercises, stretch, walk, rest your eyes, eat a nutritious snack, and stay well hydrated.
Reconsider your duties and talk with your boss if you feel you have an excessive workload that triggers your stress levels and, if you consider it necessary, seek help from a mental health professional.
Balance your personal and professional life by finding time to do activities you enjoy, such as exercising, riding a bicycle, reading, listening to music, playing an instrument, or meeting friends for dinner or the movies, among others.
Now that you know this, we invite you to plan and manage your time efficiently to take care of your health and stay motivated at work.
Fuentes:
medlineplus, mayoclinic, cigna, mejorconsalud, expansion, indeed, up-spain
