How does time management improve health

Managing time has become imperative in today’s fast-paced world.

With the constant barrage of responsibilities and commitments, and self-imposed standards of success, it can be challenging to maintain a sensible work-life balance.

But, by marshaling our time smartly and implementing productive habits, we can reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve our mental and physical health.

So, let’s dive in and discover the many ways of handling our hours and days wisely to preserve our wellness – even as we strive towards fulfilling our obligations and reaching our goals and aspirations.

Why don’t we make the connection between time management and health?

An important point to note is that if we care about how we use our time, we also, in a way, care for ourselves. This is because we make space for introspection and thus get the clarity to prioritize self-care.

Here are some reasons why the connection between how we spend time and the state of our well-being often eludes us:

• Lack of awareness: We may fail to connect the way we use the time we have and our health because we aren’t aware of the impact of poor handling of our hours, minutes, and seconds on our bodies and minds. We don’t see how a lack of consciousness about proper time allocations can lead to a pile-up of stress, the silent vigor eroder.
• Misconceptions: We may not connect time organization to our physical and mental fitness because of misconceptions about what it entails. We may be too rigid in our scheduling. However, finesse in managing our time is more about finding a harmonious balance that can be adapted to our lifestyle and needs.
• Lack of priority: We may not give due weightage to using the time we have on hand in ways that can improve our healthfulness. We may see time care as an issue secondary to other self-care practices such as exercise and healthy eating. However, effective time planning can help create more room for higher levels of self-care, leading to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Most of us tend to err by not regulating our schedules and allowing strain accumulation. But, interestingly, not all pressure is bad for us.

According to Eileen Duncan, writing in How Stuff Works, “… stress can be interpreted as positive or negative, depending on its intensity and frequency. Productive or positive stress, known as ‘eustress,’ is a controlled amount of stress that produces a steady state of alertness that can help you focus, but without all the negative side effects of distress.”

4 ways in which we can make time work more effectively for our health

There’s a simple dictum about handling the demands of time that we need to remember: we must make time work for us, instead of against us. With this in mind, let’s look at four ways to steer our days toward fostering and nourishing ourselves.

1. Establishing priorities in our daily time allocations:

Setting priorities means identifying and ranking tasks or activities in order of importance or urgency. It involves determining what needs to be done first, what can wait, and what can be delegated or eliminated. Lack of clarity on the relative importance of different activities can seriously impact our minds.

When deciding the best way to make room for what matters most, here are some considerations to include:

• By identifying and giving more attention to essential activities, we can avoid doing needless tasks and feeling overwhelmed. We can ensure that we allocate enough time and energy to the activities that are urgent or important. This can help reduce stress and anxiety about managing a long to-do list.
• Proper scheduling arrangements can help us increase efficiency, reduce distractions, and avoid procrastination. We can accomplish more in less time, leading to increased self-esteem. This, in turn, energizes the mind and body.

• According to Jocelyn Cervantes, writing in Painted Mind, emphasizing self-care activities such as diet, exercise, and quality sleep can promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By making self-care the center of our days, we can prevent burnout and palliate stress.

2. Setting realistic goals for our lives and our health:

Having feasible goals means establishing achievable objectives within our capabilities and resources. We have to plan targets bearing our strengths and limitations in mind. The pressure of unachievable goals can seriously affect us.

When planning our goals, here are some thoughts to consider:

• According to Deanna Ritchie, writing in Calendar, reviewing our goals for achievability can substantially reduce stress and anxiety related to unrealistic expectations. Contrarily, when we set realistic goals, we are more likely to achieve them, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment, boosting our energy and overall sense of wellness.
• Holding manageable goals before us helps us stay motivated and avoid feeling fatigued at the very thought of having to strain ourselves beyond our limits. We are more likely to stay focused and committed. This can help increase productivity, reduce procrastination, and enliven our minds.
• Having achievable goals also applies to the health goals we set ourselves. If we have been ill, we need time for the repair and renewal of our bodies. We must be incremental and gradually progressive toward our recovery to promote durable physical, mental, and emotional verve.

3. Practicing mindfulness as the art of relaxed attention:

According to Adrian Stefirta, writing in Teamly, mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. Mindfulness can be practiced through meditation, breathing exercises, and body scans. It has been shown to have numerous benefits for both physical and mental robustness.

When making room for mindfulness, here are some ways to practice it:

• Being mindful can help reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing negative thoughts and emotions. It allows us to focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on anxiety-inducing past events or worrying about the future.
• Mindfulness is effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders. It can also help individuals cope with chronic pain, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and add to their mental stamina.
• By learning how to be more mindful during any daily activity, we can help ourselves physically by cutting down stress levels, lowering blood pressure, improving sleep quality, and palliating cardiovascular disease and digestive disorders.

4. Creating special time for chronic illness care:

If we have chronic ailments such as obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension – or hereditary illnesses – we must set aside exclusive time to pay extra attention to these problems. If these factors combine, they can have a multiplicative effect on the heart.

Doctors may advise us to schedule periodic monitoring of cholesterol levels, primary hypertension, diabetes symptoms, or obesity side effects.

• Managing doctor visits and medical check-ups for chronic ailments is an essential aspect of healthcare for those with these conditions. It is important to schedule appointments well in advance and allocate enough time for travel and waiting.
• One way to monitor timely medication intake is to establish a routine for taking our medicines at the same time each day. This can help make medication taking a habit and reduce the risk of forgetting or missing doses.
• Special diets and exercises for chronic ailments also require careful planning and execution time. According to the US San Diego School Of Medicine, it would help to set time apart to plan meals in advance and make grocery lists based on dietary restrictions. Similarly, scheduling exercise routines well ahead and syncing calendars with our fitness professionals may need attention.

In summary

By taking much care in planning and utilizing our time, and flexibly making minor changes to our daily routines as and when needed, we can take a proactive approach towards maintaining overall well-being. Besides, when we plan our time thoughtfully, we can bring more happiness into life and lightness to the heart. Stay heart-healthy. Be a Zinda Dil.

References

1. Duncan, Eileen. How Stuff Works. “How does health affect my health?.” Accessed: March 22, 2023. https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/family/parenting/parenting-tips/time-management-affect-health.htm
2. Cervantes, Jocelyn. Painted Brain. “How Is Time Management Important For Your Mental Health?” Accessed: March 22, 2023. https://paintedbrain.org/blog/how-is-time-management-important-for-your-mental-health
3. Ritchie, Deanna. Calendar. “How Are Time Management and Mental Health Related?” Accessed: March 22, 2023. https://www.calendar.com/blog/how-are-time-management-and-mental-health-related/
4. Stefirta, Adrian. Teamly. “How Can Mindfulness Improve Your Time Management.” Accessed: March 22, 2023. https://www.teamly.com/blog/mindfulness-and-time-management/
5. US San Diego School Of Medicine. “Scheduled Eating- Why It’s Beneficial and How to Start.” Accessed: March 22, 2023. https://chear.ucsd.edu/blog/scheduled-eating-why-its-beneficial-and-how-to-start