Everyone from internet pundits to your great aunt is willing to give you advice on how to manage your stress, but much of it isn’t helpful when there’s work to be done. (Fiji? Sounds great, but I’m on a deadline.) Here are a few tips that can decrease your stress by increasing your productivity, maybe clearing a little time to relax at the end of the day.
Track Your Time
Sounds really annoying when you are already overburdened, but it really is a useful exercise. Take a week if you can or at least a few days. Write down what you are doing in 15 minute intervals or whatever period works best. You may be surprised how much time you are spending on informal meetings, redundant work or checking on your fantasy football team.
Plan Each Day
Now that you know where your time is going, take the time to allocate it in advance. Spend a few minutes in the morning or just before you leave making a list of what needs to be done, approximately how long it will take and what people or supplies are needed to complete them.
Prioritize Your Tasks
Now that you have your list, decide what is important and what can be delegated, what needs to get done today and what can wait. Break large projects into smaller chunks that you can check off as you make progress.
Limit Distractions
Close your browser or your email if they are the source of interruptions. Listen to music on your headphones to drown out chatter. Work remotely for an afternoon, from home or a coffee shop, but only if you can operate more effectively there.
Take Breaks
Get up and stretch, take a walk or switch to a different task. Plugging away at the same thing for hours without moving is no recipe for productivity. Movement gets your blood flowing, reinvigorates you and can help you think more clearly and creatively.
Take Care Of Yourself
Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Make time for exercise. It may seem counterintuitive to add one more thing to your day, but it really does increase your energy, boost productivity and reduce stress.
One last method for reducing stress? Call Synerfac. We’re here to make it easy for you to find the right job for you. To learn more about employment opportunities in Washington D.C. and beyond, contact our recruiting team today!