Time management has mental health benefits. When your time is being managed well at work and home, there’s time for what needs to get done and time for rest which will promote general sense of wellbeing.
Managing Your Time Can Help Your Mental Health
Time management has mental health benefits. When your time is being managed well at work and home, there’s time for what needs to get done and time for rest which will promote general sense of wellbeing. Managing your time and task load can prevent high stress levels and keep them in check. It can prevent high stress levels and burnout.
At Work:
Finding your Groove
No matter what industry you work in (e.g. mental/behavioral health, healthcare, business, finance, tech), having a job where your role includes meeting and interacting with clients on a frequent basis means it’s important to know how to effectively and efficiently manage your time and workload so you can be successful. Being able to work effectively and efficiently can make all the difference in how you work and how you feel about your work. As you become more proficient, the smoother your work days can become. Below are a few ways to get you thinking about your current work patterns, preferences, and strategies so you can improve your efficiency, ultimately reduce work related stress, and help you enjoy your job more. To start, it’s important to assess your work patterns and preferences.
Start by assessing your current time management pattern by tracking how you spend your time during your work day. Assess what is and what is not working for you. A few questions you can ask yourself to assess your patterns may include:
- What are my work preferences?
- When do I have the most energy?
- When do I have the most focus for task A and when do I have the most focus for task B?
After you reflect and answer these questions, you can decide whether or not any action oriented steps need to be taken to maximize your time and energy. One of the biggest ways to maximize your time and stay on top of your workload is avoiding procrastination. Putting off work tasks until later just ends up taking up more of your time and mental energy. It can also increase your stress levels. Check in with yourself and allow yourself short mental breaks during your work day and at the very least take your lunch.
At Home:
There are plenty of responsibilities at home to take care of. Depending on your living situation you may have lawn care, cooking, household chores, taking care of kids and/or pets, paying bills, getting groceries. It’s important to know how to manage your time so you’re able to get things done efficiently while also having time for rest, self-care, and some fun.
Some ways to manage your time can include:
- Planning ahead by preparing for the day the night before.
- Doing the most important tasks of the day in the mornings.
- Using a to do list and write down the most important tasks that need to get done that day and do them when you’re most productive. You’ll know when you’re most productive by determining when you feel the most energetic and motivated.
- Leave some time between tasks and take breaks so you don’t get overwhelmed. By doing this, you’ll complete things on time or sooner than expected.
- Focus on one task at a time instead of multitasking.
- Delegate tasks at home to your partner, roommate, older child, etc. Ask for help when you need it. Your productivity doesn’t define your worth.
- Schedule time for rest and fun. Rest and fun are just as productive as work and household duties and both are great for your mental health.
Online Mental Health Services
In addition to managing your time and workload to improve your mental health, seeking psychological services help can also be beneficial. CHE Behavioral Health Services offers mental health services online to individuals struggling with mental health concerns, providing a safe and confidential space to address issues such as stress, depression, anxiety disorders, grief, and more. With a network of over 900 physicians, we provide convenient, evidence-based mental health services online to help improve your mental health and overall well-being.
For more information about mental illness and behavioral health services offered by CHE, please call 888-515-3834. We are ready to talk and ready to listen.
Makenzie Pacubas, MSW, LCSW (they/she)
CHE Quality Assurance Associate
Makenzie is a clinical social worker who has worked in the mental health field for over a decade and now works in clinical quality assurance with CHE Behavioral Health Services. Makenzie lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her partner, Justin, and their three pets. Makenzie likes art, singing, exercising, reading, getting outdoors, and trying new restaurants.
