Time Management Tips to Help You Get Through the Hectic Holiday Season

It is no surprise that the holiday season can be a hectic time of year.  With end-of-the-year deadlines, parties, and commitments, the holiday season makes it a tough time to get a moment of relaxation.  Here are some time management tips that you can apply to your life so that you can have a more calm and fulfilling holiday season.

Time Management Skills for the Hectic Holiday Season

• Minimize New Tasks. One reason the holiday season can tack on stress is because, too often, individuals take on more than they can handle.  You’ll undoubtedly attend or host events with family, friends or coworkers, but it is possible to control the extra day-to-day activities you choose to take on.  Keeping your work-life balance in control by minimizing new tasks will help lower your stress levels so you can focus on what’s important.
• Improve Organization Through Scheduling. Writing down what your day, week, or month will look like in a calendar will allow you to visualize what you have planned so that you can better manage your time. Consider planning or scheduling time to hit the gym or to take 30 minutes for yourself at the end of every day to minimize stress.  Scheduling is one of the most important fundamentals in time management, so make sure it’s a priority.
• Stop Multitasking. We are trained to be able to multitask while at work and at home, but the truth is we tend to push this to the limits.  Multitasking can be a major source of distress in our everyday lives, especially during the holidays.  In order to have better time management skills this holiday season, consider avoiding multitasking and focus on one goal at a time to dodge the stress factors we know all too well.
• Set Aside Time Every Day For “You” Time. This is easier said than done when the holidays are here, but taking a little time for you is important.  Use this time to make it to the gym every day or for a massage once per week.  This is a great way to manage your time wisely and it will be a healthy way to prepare your mind and body for the stressors ahead.
• Prioritize.  Making it through the chaotic holiday season means there will be differing priorities, but in order to stay committed to your healthy lifestyle program, it is wise to start the day prioritizing tasks.  If possible start out with your fitness routine and go from there.  Following this, you should be able to make a list of what is most important for the day ahead.  Prioritizing can help set the day up with a reasonable time table so that you can avoid overdoing it.

The holiday season is a time of joy and fun, but for many, sadly, it is a time of stress and chaos.  Make this time of the year a time of fun, joy, and ease with better time management skills.  Having sound time management skills (like those just listed) can help you remain healthy and stress-free during a time of the year when many adults face a lot of pressure.  Instilling these tips can help you start the New Year with a very handy skill of making it through a day stress-free.

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