Do you struggle to manage your busy schedule? Do frequently exclaim, “there aren’t enough hours in the day!” Not managing a busy lifestyle can lead to depression, stress, and exhaustion. So how do you start taking your life back so you can feel on top of the world again?

In this guide, you’ll learn how to manage your time effectively so you can spend more days with your family or doing something you truly enjoy. You’ll also learn how to change certain aspects of your life to free up time to do more of what you love.

Have Meals Made For You

When you have a busy lifestyle, you may skip meals because you don’t have the time to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you have a family, you may be forced to make meals which can eat into your spare time.

To save time, consider premade meal delivery services. Similar to a restaurant, you can look at menus and have food made for you and delivered straight to your door. The difference is that you can have various types of meals prepared for you based on your dietary needs or your budget.

What’s more, if you have a large family with one or two picky eaters, you can order meals they’ll actually eat.

Wake Up Early

It can be tempting to stay in bed for an extra half an hour. But you can get so much done when you wake up at around 5 am every morning. Use this time to check your emails, respond to messages, and plan your day accordingly.

When you wake up late every morning, you’ll develop a habit of rushing around. It will increase your stress and anxiety, which will cause you to make more mistakes at work or even become irritable.

Waking up early every morning allows you to structure the rest of your day, which can reduce stress. You’ll have a clear outline of what you need to do to accomplish your goals for the day.

Use Digital Planners To Manage Time

One aspect people struggle with when they have a busy lifestyle is managing their time effectively. If you’re working, studying, and have a family to take care of, you may be overwhelmed by the stress.

We recommend using digital planners so you can structure your day accordingly. Planning your time will also ensure you don’t miss appointments and that you can prioritize the most important parts of your day.

Furthermore, digital planners send you push notifications to remind you of important events and tasks that need to be completed.

Don’t Let Your Phone Distract You

Smartphones can be incredibly distracting with social media and messages from family members or colleagues. Your phone can set you back hours if you don’t monitor your time on your device.

You must have excellent self-discipline with your smartphone when you have a busy schedule. Make it a rule that you will only look at your notifications on your lunch breaks or when you have a free moment in between work.

Mute contacts and only turn silent mode off for your immediate family in case of an emergency. You can also set clear rules that family should only message you during working hours if it’s an emergency.

Have Proper Breaks

Even the most successful people in the world need to have regular breaks. If you don’t take proper breaks, you can burn yourself out, and it can cause major mental health problems. Always take a lunch break at work. If you’re studying, take 15-minute breaks in between sections of your assignments.

When you’re done with all your work, consider having alone time to do anything that helps you relax, such as reading a book or taking a long bath. Short breaks can help boost your energy levels and ensure that your mental health isn’t compromised.

Schedule Meet-Ups, Appointments, and Events

People with busy lifestyles have to plan their time accordingly. If you still want an excellent work-life balance, then you must plan in advance. Whether it’s friends, family, or a client, consider scheduling appointments and meet-ups.

Provide friends and family with an exact time and date that you’re free to go out for drinks or attend gatherings. For clients, you can schedule appointments during working hours so that meetings don’t eat into your personal time.

If you can’t make events due to exams, work projects, or other obligations, you can reschedule for a time when you are completely free.

Spend Weekends Doing What You Love

It’s imperative that you use the weekends to unwind. Some occupations may require people to work on weekends, but we strongly advise you don’t work the entirety of Saturday and Sunday.

Use the weekends to do something you really enjoy doing, such as an exciting hobby. Or you can spend time with friends and family. Unwinding on the weekends will boost your energy, so you’re ready to tackle any projects due on Monday.