Coping strategies for the growing demands on your time!

Let’s face it – life can be busy!

With the growing demands from your job, family, running a home and other responsibilities, one can feel overwhelmed and question how you can possibly fit everything in. 

The truth is often you cannot do everything you set out to do. You start with good intentions but then realise you have over committed yourself. How many times have you tried to squeeze in far too many tasks in one day and then panicked on realising you could not complete them?

The key is to prioritise the people that need to be attended to and the tasks that are of the most importance. This is where your focus should lay.  

To do lists are ideal for planning your day. I would advise that you list tasks in order of importance. A list will keep you on track and it feels great to tick the tasks off as you complete them!

Here are four changes that you can make to your life;

1. Switch off your television!
According to the Telegraph, people in the UK spend an average of four hours watching television every day. I used to spend around two hours an evening watching television but put a stop to it over a year ago. I now only watch particular programmes. I do not miss it and once I put my children to bed I use my evenings to catch up with my husband, work on my blog/make up business.

2. Wake up earlier to prepare for the day ahead.  Spend the first part of your day alone – read, pray (optional), reflect. Naturally I am NOT a morning person but I have adjusted to very early morning starts due to my change of working hours. I quite enjoy my brisk walk to the station – the crisp air, quiet roads and my thoughts.  

3. If you commute to work or place of study, use this time to catch up with emails, telephoning friends/family, making appointments.  The key is to make the best use of your time. I rarely spend my evenings in conversation on the phone, however I will send the odd email or text message. 

4. Be good to yourself! 
Take a few hours out of your weekly schedule to do something that you enjoy. Whether it be having a massage, a manicure, reading a book, catching up with a friend over a meal. You are more likely to cope with your ‘load’ when you step away from it all once in a while.

How do you cope with your responsibilities? 

What do you do to unwind?

Perhaps you have some tips.