Everyone has their own definition of “busy season.” For some, it’s defined by workplace deadlines and productivity goals. For others, it refers to an avalanche of family activities. Those who take the “season” part literally might point to the fall, when the the “lazy days” of summer suddenly start getting shorter, the calendar fills up faster, and the chores pile on.
In these moments, it can feel like you’re constantly swimming upstream. Don’t fight the current! Like a duck serenely gliding across the surface while paddling like mad under the water, you, too, can maintain a sense of calm and control while living in a world of chaos. Here are five quick strategies to help you stay on track when life gets busiest.
1. Get some shuteye
Sleep is often the first thing to go when things get particularly busy, yet those are the times when you actually need sleep the most. Studies have shown that getting adequate sleep—at least 10 hours a day for children and adolescents, and seven for adults—boosts the immune system and helps prevent illness.
Good sleep hygiene also means you’ll be more focused and productive the following day, and you’ll have a better memory and an increase in creative thinking to boot. Basically, sleep gives all your “Gettin’ Stuff Done” tools more power.
2. Plan your meals
Frantically packing lunches for school or the office every morning is a surefire way to burn out fast. Batch cooking or meal prepping saves time and energy and helps you avoid the calorie bomb of a last-minute pizza delivery by ensuring there’s always a nutritious option ready for you.
Of course, meal prep is still a thing you have to do and we’ve established that you’re really damn busy at the moment. So let someone else do it! The chefs and registered dietitians at Performance Kitchen take great pains to craft wholesome, delicious frozen meals that are globally inspired, nutrition-conscious, and (this is the key) prep-free. You’ll get all the protein, veggies, fiber, and whole grains you need without anything artificial.
Stock up and you’ve got a week’s worth of lunches or dinners that require no more effort than pressing a single microwave button. If it’s good enough for Russell Wilson, it’s good enough for you.
3. Make a ‘to-do’ list (and stick to it)
According to the American Psychological Association, one of the very best things you can do to stay on track during a busy season is write down what you want to achieve. Research has found that writing down short-term and long-term goals creates a feeling of accountability, meaning you’re more likely to follow through. To-do lists are also really helpful for identifying problems and prioritizing goals.
4. Stop procrastinating
When you’re going through a particularly busy time, even small tasks seem daunting. But putting off little chores here and there leads to a big pile really quick. Set aside a time each day to knock out some of those five-minute tasks you’re tempted to put off for later, like sorting the mail, running to the bank to deposit a check, or emptying the dishwasher, so you don’t get overwhelmed. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in 15 minutes.
5. Turn off your phone
Distraction is an absolute productivity killer, and there is almost nothing more distracting these days than the tiny supercomputers constantly buzzing in all of our pockets. Studies show that students who text during class perform worse on tests and quizzes, and that people who try to multitask with laptops and phones actually have a lower productivity rate overall.
In other words? Focus on the task at hand. Twitter will still be there when the important stuff is done and, let’s be honest, Twitter will still be terrible. You’re far too busy to worry about all that.
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