A busy schedule means that you’re productive and getting things done. Right now, you don’t have time to spend an hour practicing yoga or time to spend at the salon getting a facial and a hot stone massage. But, the good news is that there are ways to keep tabs on your mental health without having a huge impact to your schedule. Keep reading to learn 7 tips to managing your mental health on a busy schedule.
1. Exercise
In a day jam-packed with meetings and tasks, it may seem impossible to have time to exercise. But, taking part in physical activity doesn’t have to require hours of your time. By parking farther away from your office, you can get a quick and effortless work out in during the mornings. You could also choose to take the stairs instead of elevators.
If you’re serious about exercise, try knocking out a desk routine. Stretching, lunges, sit ups, and push-ups can all be done in a relatively small space. Find a room in your workplace where there’s a little bit of privacy and get to exercising!
Physical activity not only boosts your physical health but also improves your mental health. Exercising reduces stress, improves your ability to focus, and helps to burn off excess energy that can make you restless.
2. Eat Healthy
Your diet plays a huge role in your body’s ability to manage stress. Proper dietary choices, such as foods high in vitamins and minerals, can be quite helpful for an overloaded body. While it may be quicker to grab a donut or a bag of chips from the office snack shack, choosing a healthier option will keep your physical and mental health in check. Convenient snacks to eat include:
- Fresh fruit
- Greek yogurt with granola
- Whole grain bagel with low-fat cream cheese
- Celery and peanut butter
- Hummus and pita chips
By making wise dietary choices, you can keep your energy levels up while also improving your ability to focus.
3. Budget Your Time
A busy schedule without proper time budgeting can leave you feeling overwhelmed and rushed. When you feel overwhelmed, you’re less likely to perform as effectively and efficiently as you can. To best manage your busy schedule, make use of a daily planner. Write down your meetings, tasks, and create a detailed to-do list. By organizing your responsibilities, you have a big picture view of what needs to be done.
Be sure to also use your daily planner outside of the workplace. Keeping tabs on your kid’s after-school activities, doctor’s appointments, and other activities is also useful.
4. Determine Any Underlying Health Issues
Having a busy schedule is common, but are there hindrances that keep you from getting things done? A common condition that makes it harder to focus and stick to schedule is ADHD. The condition is common amongst adults and can be detrimental, especially to those with jam-packed schedules. If you find you suffer from impulsive decisions, inability to focus, and disorganization, you may have ADHD. The good news is that ADHD can be treated using a variety of medications. Ask your doctor about a free Vyvanse coupon so that you can determine which medication works best for you.
5. Practice Calming Exercises
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Those days are extremely stressful and can throw you off track. On those days when your stress levels are through the roof, take time to practice calming exercises. Repeat positive affirmations to yourself or take a few minutes outside to gather your thoughts and to take some deep breaths. Once you’re calm and ready to go, you can get back to work.
6. Be Realistic
None of us are perfect, and while you may be doing your best, deadlines are going to slip and you may not complete every task as best as possible. Be realistic in your daily goals and know that it’s okay for things to not go as planned. Slip ups happen, it’s how you react to them that shows the true you.
7. Make Time to Relax
Having a busy schedule is tiring. Being on the go so often with minimal rest can take a physical and mental toll. Though it’s not easy to take a day off from the hustle and bustle at work, taking a day to yourself is a must, especially if you want to keep your mental health in check. Relaxing helps you to relieve stress and gives your mind a break from meeting deadlines, answering emails, and holding meetings with clients.
Take a day to yourself and relax. Read a book in your pajamas. Head to the local community center and swim a few laps. Sleep in and spend most of the day in bed. By taking a day off, you’ll feel like a whole new person. Your stress levels will decrease and you’ll feel much more grounded and centered.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to manage your mental health during busy or stressful times, but with these 7 tips you can conquer even the worst of mental health days. What tips have you found effective in managing your mental health? Leave us a comment below.
