There is a chance that you have the characteristic of being a late-comer. Family and friends often refer to the fact you don’t maintain your time. But, even if they make fun of it, you know that they don’t like it. And, honestly, they don’t like it either.
However, no matter how hard you do, there never is enough time. There is always a rush trying to keep up. Here’s something you may not be aware of. Inappropriate time management can impact mental health in negative ways.
The reality that you are unable to have a fun time with your acquaintances because you arrived late can be stress-inducing. This is especially true if you may feel anger from people who refuse to admit your mistakes.
In addition, you must consider that your mind is racing at a rapid pace. You are currently thinking about all the things you have to accomplish, and there is not enough time remaining. As a result, what should be a relaxing day turns difficult.
Understanding Time Management
There is no secret or complex meaning to time management. It is simply a matter of how you manage your time.
Imagine it in this approach. In a single day, you have 24 hours. If you’re an excellent student, you’re aware that 8 hours are for sleep. This leaves 16 hours for studying, leisure, or whatever else you have to be doing.
Effective time management is the ability to do what is required, or doing, in those 16 hours. But, wait. Let us define this one further.
It’s about prioritizing the most important things and giving yourself some breathing room. This means establishing long-term and short-term strategies for how you can best manage your time.
However, can it be really that simple? No way. If you have trouble with managing your time, you might consider hiring a professional for help.
Have a look at Acuity Training courses on time management. There’s plenty to discover about topics like:
- Overcoming procrastination
- Email inbox management
- Prioritization, planning, and organizing
- Total time management, and many more.
Making the investment in training for time management could change your life. One research into efficient time management training reveals some intriguing outcomes. From a total sample of 114 participants, 58 participants received 12 sessions of training over six months. Fifty-six of them were the group that was controlled.
Self-rating scales to measure anxiety and depression were lower in the experimental group. They also had better quality sleep and time management abilities. The outcome for those who completed the program was less depression and anxiety.
Impact of Ineffective Time Management on Mental Health
What happens when you discover yourself running behind for an appointment? It’s a moment of stress and anxiety. You are honking or screaming at the driver ahead of you to speed up.
After entering the building, you keep hitting on the button for the elevator. It’s as if the action makes the elevator move quicker.
You rush into the meeting space, stressed and irritable. This will be a horrible start to what is supposed to be a productive and productive meeting.
Ineffective time management causes anxiety and stress. Your mind is on high alert with thoughts of the many things you need to accomplish. The longer you are in this state, the worse health issues you could be faced with.
Heart disease, blood pressure, insomnia, weight loss, or weight gain can be the result. Some people may think that you’re a scattered brain. If your brain is always at full speed, it could get difficult to focus. What do you have to accomplish?
Steps to Effective Time Management
As we’ve said, the management of time can be a challenge. Our lives are full of demands, and everything seems to be something to do. However, there are steps to help you create an optimal balance.
Step Back For a Minute
Before making any adjustments, you should have the knowledge of what’s not working. Start by taking an unintentional step back for a moment. What is it that you are struggling with regards to managing your time? Are you doing something that you could be making a mistake?
It’s been said that the early bird who catches the worm, don’t you? If you get up early, you can accomplish many more. What are your strategies for handling tasks? You might consider using lists of to-dos for prioritizing tasks. Then, put things on the back of the list until the time is up.
Some people are not able to function well under pressure. For example, the act of putting off work can cause you to explode due to deadlines that you must be able to meet. Examine the factors that contribute to your lack of effective time management and determine what you can do to improve your situation.
Seek Professional Help
Find help in managing your time more effectively. We’ve already discussed time management classes. However, there are many other experts you can speak to, too.
Discuss with a therapist the issues you may struggle with. Sometimes, unresolved issues can cause you to struggle.
Inadequacy fears might, for instance, cause you to take on too much to show that you are capable of doing it. But, on the other hand, it could be the right time to put aside certain aspects and focus on the important things.
Have Boundaries and Live by Them
Are you the friend who doesn’t say no? Do you desire to please others? Have you played the roles that require most of the time? You might be surprised by the opinions of others. They may not perceive you as being helpful. Instead, you are perceived as a doormat anyone could walk across.
Make an effort to tell yourself no without guilt about your choices. Instead, take some time to be with yourself or with the important people to you.
Don’t forget that you are not owed anyone a reason to pursue your happiness. So long as you aren’t hurting anyone else or losing sight of the things that matter, you’re on the right track. Everything will be in place, and you’ll be able to begin living your life.
Final Words on
If you aren’t able to manage your time effectively, life will take over your life. Stress and anxiety will increase when you try to keep up. Also, your mental health can suffer.
Make the necessary steps to get the reins back into your life. This includes learning effective time management, investing in some education in setting boundaries and prioritizing the things that matter.
Read Next: