Make your life easier with these simple planning tools! π
As we head to the peak busy time of the year, I know how the stressors from daily life can build up and how quickly they can become overwhelming. It can feel like there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done, let alone find time for the things you love and really want to do. And when we're constantly juggling numerous tasks, it's easy to become frazzled, overwhelmed or frozen with procrastination and doubt.
When you are feeling stressed out like this, it can be hard to stay focused and motivated. And did you know that stress can have serious impacts on your physical and mental health? In fact, prolonged and significant stress has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, anxiety, depression and even weight gain. It can also cause family conflict, relationship problems, and difficulty sleeping.Β
If you are feeling stressed, know that you are not alone. A study released at the end of 2019 (before the pandemic!) by Professor Tarani Chandola of The University of Manchester, and Dr Cara Booker, Professor Meena Kumari and Professor Michaela Benzeval of the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex found that working mums are more stressed than most:
They found that the overall level of 11 biomarkers related to chronic stress, including stress related hormones and blood pressure, was 40% higher if women were working full-time while bringing up two children than it was among women working full-time with no children. Women working full time and bringing up one child had 18% higher level.
So how can you reduce stress? While we can't control everything, there are some simple planning tools we can use to help make our lives a little easier. Here are some of the planning tools I use to help minimise the stress in my life:
To-do lists: A to-do list is a great way to get organised and prioritise your tasks. It is key to break your list down into smaller, manageable chunks and and prioritise the tasks you work on. You can find my to-do list process here.
Calendar management: Using a calendar to schedule your tasks and appointments is an effective way to reduce stress. I also block out time in my calendar for things I want to fit into my life - like running with friends, catch up with friends, and most importantly I make sure there is plenty of white space in the calendar so I have unplanned time. It is important that you take control of your calendar - if you let everyone else fill in the time slots first, there will be no time left over for you.
Routines: Having a base routine for your week can help reduce the amount of decision-making you have to do daily. This can reduce stress and free up valuable mental energy that can be better spent elsewhere. Daily routines also make sure you get the essential activities completed.
Goals: Having a specific overarching goal for the year to focus on can help to give you a sense of purpose and clarity. When you know what you're working towards, it can be easier to stay motivated and on track and make better decisions on where to spend your time.
Processes: Create simple processes for the repetitive tasks of daily life. For example, have a set place for your keys so you always know where to find them. Have places for the kids to put their school bags, lunch boxes, and drink bottles so they can be responsible for ensuring everything is in its place and easy to find. Have the kids pack their bags the night before so they (or you!) are not scrambling to find everything in the morning.
If you read all of the above and thought YES!, this is what I need to do but are not sure where to start, join me for the last round of Planned + Present for 2022. Planned + Present is my 7-week online course, designed specifically for busy mums like you who want to streamline the repetitive tasks of family life, leaving you more time for the things you love.
The Guided group led by me, kicks off on Monday 10th October, so sign up now and join me - I look forward to helping you make the changes you need to make life less stressful and more enjoyable.
NicΒ