Having a hard time with your workflow or staying on task? Is everyday seemingly more exhausting than the last? Of course, you’re not alone. Feeling unproductive or frustrated with your to-do list could have a dwindling effect on your mindset and even provoke setbacks in your mental health. Keeping a strong focus has arguably become even harder than before due to the unhinging effects of social media and recent current events. We’ve compiled a list of engaging tips for improving your mindset and keeping your mental health in check:
Mess Creates Stress!
Do yourself a favor and tidy up! Clutter around your workspace, office, and living space goes beyond the unappealing visual. Too much mess could overstimulate your brain and cause a distraction. The less you have to worry about in your surroundings, the better you can stay on task. Messy space could also compound into bigger problems. A straining workspace could lead to lower productivity, increased frustration, and impacted mental health. Schedule time at the end or beginning of the day to take care of messy business.
Cut Your To-Do List in Half
It’s easy to get caught up in a task list. Whether it be externally or internally induced, putting yourself under unnecessary pressure could end up extending deadlines. Learning to cut your to-do list in half ensures a decluttered mindset while relaxing strains on your mental health. While setting your expectations high and striving to get the most done might work for some, it’s not always the most effective nor realistic for a schedule. Try the 1-3-5 rule! Identify one large thing you’d like to accomplish, followed by 3 medium sized tasks, and 5 small tasks. To-do lists are meant to be a tool, not a stress calendar.
Discover Your Peak Hours
While coffee and a solid almond croissant may boost your workflow, all-day productivity simply isn’t realistic. Take time to discover your peak hours when your body is the most awake and in-focus. Blocking out your schedule and task list accordingly could ultimately ensure that your energy is used effectively. Need help identifying your peak hours? Keep a log for 2-4 days and note your energy levels throughout the day. Are you feeling sluggish, moderate, or ready for a marathon? Record your hourly energy status and note down the patterns. Knowing your peak hours could even help you set expectations and avoid interruptions in your mental health.
Work in Time Blocks
In reference to scheduling around peak hours, working in time blocks is another efficient time management tool to get tasks done. Time block scheduling is meant to secure tasks into concrete time slots. Sticking to this concrete schedule better ensures things get done and your attention isn’t dispersed. At the end of each work day, reconcile which tasks weren’t able to get done and adjust the next day’s blocks accordingly. Implementing this method could provide a clarified mindset and peaceful thinking when it comes to managing tasks.
“Stop Saying Yes”
People pleasing and stuffing your responsibilities may seem fulfilling at first. We want nothing more than to feel counted on and capable of achieving any task. However, constantly accepting new roles could rapidly lead to burnout and unnecessary emotions of overwhelment. In most cases, the opposite party truly won’t mind asking around. Learn to say no and retain your focus on the already full platter. Don’t know when to say no? If someone is asking you for a favor that is outside of your job scope, in an unrealistic timeline, or even just unappealing – you can say no! Your mental health will thank you later.
Turn Off Notifications
Living in the digital age has rapidly normalized the constant bombardment of notifications. Many of us have subconsciously conditioned ourselves to check every vibration, ring, or buzz that comes our way. Being constantly interrupted by a friend’s facebook update, netflix show pings, and family group chat messages could seriously interrupt your workflow and even mental health. Turning off selective or even all notifications could be the next step towards controlled mental stimulation. You’ll quickly discover that you don’t miss any of these constant rings and may never go back!
Assign Maintenance Days
Maintenance days also known as “mental health days” are crucial towards your burnout prevention plan. Taking time for your weekly trip to the beach, romcom binging, or 10 hour sleep is just as -if not more- important than work life. Turn off your email notifications, don’t pick up the work phone, and use this time to reboot your mindset. Need self-care ideas for your maintenance day? Read a few of our natural self-care remedies for stress here.
Promote Self Confidence
Believing in yourself is all but cliche. Part of establishing a strong mindset and positive mental health status is rooted in confidence. Reinforce your confidence by learning new skills,
Workout!
Keeping your body physically maintenanced is commonly known to boost self-esteem, heightened cognitive functions, lower stress, and enhanced senses. Get your day started with a cycling class, neighborhood run, or yoga session to kick off a productive mindset. Progressive and continuous exercise has also proven to strengthen mental health by alleviating social withdrawal.
Being productive at a steady pace is harder said than done. We’ve learned that keeping a strong mindset and monitoring your mental health are key towards efficiently completing tasks. Cleaning your workspace is key towards decluttering your headspace and fixing focus. Cutting a to-do list in half is both mentally alleviating and ensures your attention isn’t spread too thin. Logging peak productivity hours can create more efficient timeline predictions while also mentally setting realistic expectations. Working in time blocks goes hand in hand with time management to better enforce tasks getting done. Learning to say no to proposed tasks, turning off notifications, and assigning maintenance days are all crucial to removing mental health pressures. Retaining your strong mindset and mental health all goes back to promoting self-confidence and taking care of your body through exercise. We hope these tips come in handy on days you simply can’t say no.
