How to organize your agenda to be able to de-stress?

Feeling overwhelmed by tasks to be completed is common. To avoid mental overload and preserve your energy, it is essential to regain control of your time management. Good organization helps to reduce the stress and fatigue associated with professional activity.

1. Choosing the right organization tools

To manage your time well, it is crucial to select a suitable tool to your needs.

• Paper agenda : classic but effective, it allows you to visualize your tasks in a tangible way.
• Electronic agenda : ideal for “paperless” supporters, it offers reminders and an overall view of your projects.

Steps to get organized

1. List all the tasks that need to be completed.
2. Determine the time frame for each.
3. Evaluate the resources required to complete them.
4. Integrate 5 to 10 minute break between each task to recharge your batteries: coffee break, stretch or simply a moment to breathe and take your eyes off the screen.

2. Prioritize and sort tasks

Not all tasks are created equal. It is important to prioritize according to their importance and urgency.

• Use a color code in your agenda:
  • Red: urgent
  • Yellow: to be planned
  • Green: fun activities or relaxing moments

This method allows you to visualize your priorities and not to overlook the moments necessary for well-being.

3. Manage alerts and notifications

Les smartphone or computer alerts can be useful, but there are too many, they become stressful.

• Limit notifications to one-time events, such as a medical appointment.
• Choose soft ringtones rather than shrill ones.
• Write down your appointments in the agenda and set up a light reminder to avoid unnecessary pressure.

4. Anticipate the unexpected

As Edward A. Murphy Jr. said, “If something should go wrong, that's what will happen.”

• Predict A margin of maneuver for your tasks and appointments.
• Be flexible with yourself: a delay or an unfinished task should not become a source of stress.
• Realistic planning reduces anxiety and improves your efficiency.

5. Saying no to procrastination

Procrastination leads to an accumulation of tasks. To limit it:

1. Start by accomplishing 75% of scheduled tasks within the time limit.
2. Increase your performance gradually.
3. Develop the pleasure of finishing your to-do-list and feeling in control.

6. Take breaks to breathe and refocus

Les breathing exercises are a quick and easy way to reduce stress:

• Take a deep breath for 5 minutes with your eyes closed.
• Take a break outside or in a quiet space.
• Combine with stretching or a short walk to release muscle tension.

These short breaks allow you to get back to your tasks with mental clarity and renewed energy.

7. Use your time off to recharge your batteries

Paid annual leave (30 working days) is essential for the preservation of your physical and mental energy.

• Take the opportunity to spend time with your loved ones or practice your passions.
• Combine your time off with rewarding training or activities to boost your motivation.
• A regular break allows you to return to work more focused and effective.

8. Quick relaxation techniques in the office or at home

Even without going on vacation, a few minutes are enough to de-stress:

• Read a chapter from a fun book.
• Close your eyes and practice mindful breathing.
• Walk outside for a few minutes.
• Do stretching or gentle movements to release tension.
• Listen to relaxing music with headphones.
• Drink water to stay hydrated and alert.

These simple actions are effective in restarting your concentration and reducing stress.

9. Bonus: manage your energy and not only your time

• Segmenting the day in blocks of concentration and breaks.
• Alternate difficult and easy tasks to maintain a sustainable pace.
• Avoid cognitive overload : Limit multitasking and focus on one task at a time.

This approach makes it possible to work smarter, without accumulating fatigue or anxiety.

10. Stress self-assessment

To get to know you better and adapt your strategies:

• Record your stressful moments and identify their causes.
• Test your stress level with online tools or internal questionnaires.
• Adjust your schedule and breaks according to the results to maintain a sustainable balance.

Overall: give yourself a little moment of relaxation

Here are some techniques to de-stress without leaving the office or home for up to 10 minutes:

• Read a book that has nothing to do with the activity you were doing. For example, you can take the opportunity to finish the previous day's chapter.
• Close your eyes for 5 minutes while not thinking about anything and listening to your own breath.
• Walk outside if your office has a small garden or terrace.
• Stretch to relieve yourself of sitting for too long and to let blood flow naturally.
• Listen to your favorite music with headphones so as not to disturb your colleagues. A single track will be more than enough to de-stress you.
• Turn off the sound alerts on your social media accounts.
• Drink water to hydrate yourself and thus hydrate your gray cells.

These little joys won't clutter up your agenda in any way. On the contrary, they will help you de-stress in no time.You can self-assess your stress level using the following test: assess my stress level.

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