Simple Time Management Hacks to Make Life Less Stressful

Studies show that stress has become more common in recent years, especially for younger generations. Over 65% of adults aged between 18 and 34 admit to being “consumed by stress,” according to the American Psychological Association.

There are many reasons why stress this has happened. Being too busy is a common problem. We’re going to discuss some of our favorite management hacks you can try to live a simpler, less stressful life. 

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Embrace List Making

There are two types of people in this world. One that lives by lists, and others that have no time for them.

If you’re in the second camp, it’s still a good idea to give lists a try, even if you’re not a big fan of writing things down or using a diary or planner. Creating clear, organized to-do lists can help you prioritize tasks, manage your schedule and decide better how to spend your time.

Lists can give you insights into what you need to get done. They can also help you get better at delegating or eliminating non-essential tasks and activities. It can also be an effective way to take stock of your responsibilities and commitments. If you’re doing too much every week, it’s wise to take a step back. 

Use apps

Apps have changed how we live, work, socialize, enjoy hobbies and entertainment, and manage our diaries. If you don’t already use time-saving apps, you’re missing out.

You can take advantage of brilliant online tools, programs, and apps that are specially designed to maximize productivity and efficiency, save time and effort, and streamline the way you operate both inside and outside of work. 

One of the best ways to use apps to manage your time is to focus on applications that are relevant to your job, your interests, and your commitments. There’s a huge range of apps available to cater to every need.

You can find apps for everything from running a rental property and managing your freelancer income to automating invoices for your business and doing your weekly grocery shop. 

Concentrate on apps that will help you free up time, minimize stress, and prioritize urgent or important tasks and activities.

For example, if you’re a landlord or landlady, for example, using a property management app is a game-changer. With the right apps, you can communicate with your tenants, calculate taxes, arrange property repairs, advertise your unit, and find tenants at the touch of a button.

On the other hand, if you’re a self-employed freelancer like me, you can use apps to work out your taxes, contact clients, update your schedule, send and receive payments, and schedule breaks.

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Introduce tailored routines

Being spontaneous can be a good thing, but there’s a lot to be said for routine, especially in day-to-day life. If you’re a busy person, it can help a lot to set up tailored routines that cater to your lifestyle, needs, and preferences.

Drawing up a plan or daily schedule can help you manage your workload and other commitments, find a healthy work-life balance, and prioritize self-care. Try to use your routines to boost your mental and physical health while creating more free time.

Examples of ways to do this include blocking out time for exercise sessions, outdoor activities, socializing, and enjoying good-quality downtime. It can take a while to adapt to new routines, but you should find that they benefit you if they are personalized. 

One of the most important routines to perfect if you have a hectic or stressful life is your sleep regimen. Data suggests that over a third of US adults don’t get enough sleep.

Sleep troubles can increase your risk of anxiety, stress and depression, reduce immunity, and affect your mood and energy levels. Tweaking your evening routine can help you enhance sleep quality and get more rest.

Small steps, like doing something relaxing before you go to bed, avoiding social media and using devices late at night, making sure your room is quiet and dark, and avoiding caffeine and heavy meals in the evenings, can make a big difference.  

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Get your home environment in order

Your home’s vibe can have a big impact on your stress levels. If your home is organized, clean, tidy and clutter-free, this can have a positive effect on how you feel.

It also makes home a nicer place to be and makes tasks like getting ready in the morning or cooking a meal easier and less stressful. If you haven’t decluttered in a while, the best way to approach this task is to tackle each room and be decisive about what you want to keep, donate or throw away.

Once you’ve taken care of disposing of waste, selling unwanted items, and dropping off donations, focus on finding a home for your possessions. If you’re short on storage, buying new furniture, hanging shelves, and using clever hacks, such as pull-out drawers, over-the-door hooks and rails, and multifunctional furniture, can help. You could also consider options like renting a storage unit. 

Learn to say no

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Many of us find it hard to say no. You may be a people-pleaser or you may just find it awkward to turn down invitations or requests.

But the truth is most of us don’t have the capacity to say yes all the time. If you accept every invitation, you sign up for overtime even when you’re swamped, or you take on every task in your work team or household, you’ll have no time for yourself.

You may even reach a point of burnout, and then your mood, performance at work, and even your physical health could suffer. Saying no is an important skill to master.

Get into the habit of taking time to make decisions, checking your schedule, making time for yourself, delegating, and recognizing signs of stress and burnout. We can all benefit from having a break, streamlining our to do lists, and learning to prioritize what matters most. 

The Bottom Line

Do you feel like your life is too busy? Are you prone to stress? Do you find it hard to manage your time? If so, you’re not alone.

The good news is that simple solutions can work wonders. Examples of top time-saving hacks include embracing the art of list-making, using time-saving apps for work and other commitments, and introducing tailored, personalized routines. It’s also beneficial to get your home environment in order and to learn to say no occasionally.