School. Practice. Competition. Friends. Family. College. Jobs. There’s plenty out there to make us feel stressed. And when you are busy and always on the go, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. Keeping track of deadlines and trying to keep up with daily responsibilities – it can be a lot! Here are some strategies to help manage stress when you’re always on the go.
Stay Organized
When you have a lot going on, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. Sometimes simply writing your tasks or events on a to-do list or a calendar can help you take stock of exactly what you need to get done. If you are more of a visual person, writing things down is an easy way to see everything rather than trying to keep track of it in your head. If you can see everything written down, it may be easier to try and come up with a plan on how you want to tackle everything; or see if there are things you may need to prioritize.
Take Time for Yourself
When you are always on the go and have a ton of things going on, taking time for yourself to focus on self-care may seem impossible. It may be something as simple as taking a nap or going for a walk with your dog. Self-care doesn’t necessarily mean buying yourself something extravagant. Facetime a friend you haven’t chatted with in a while, listen to your favorite music or watch something that makes you laugh. Find a way to destress and take your mind off everything on your to-do list.
Practice Positive Self Talk
How you talk to yourself contributes to your overall mood. If you’re constantly thinking about how busy you are, you’ll stress yourself out. Instead, think positively and with an optimistic outlook and you may notice that your mood is better, and you are able to manage your emotions easier. Practicing gratitude also helps with this too. Try to identify something you are thankful for each day; this will help you put things into perspective.
Progress Not Perfection
This is just one example of a mantra you can tell yourself to keep you motivated and grounded. The thought behind the phrase “progress not perfection” is that too often we get caught up in trying so hard to be perfect, that we don’t make any progress. Progress can look like something different to everyone. Keep your head down, do the work and take small steps. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. If you’re trying your hardest, and it’s the best you can do, that’s all you can ask for.
Remember Your Good Habits
When we are busy, it’s easy for bad habits to creep in, but it’s important to remember the things that make you feel good. Eating balanced meals, daily exercise and meditation are a few habits that can help you combat stress. Whatever your habits may be, sticking to a routine will help you feel organized and constructive throughout your busy day.