5 Techniques to Save Time, Rev Up Your Energy, and Finally Have Time for You 

“Find time to be healthy and have a work-life balance?” When I suggest this idea to some of my clients, following are common phrases I hear on a regular basis: “There’s never enough time,” “I don’t have time to eat healthy,” or “I don’t have time to cook.” It’s always about time.

But what if I tell you that there are some tools and techniques that you can follow to boost productivity that actually work, giving you that extra, needed time to devote to your health?  First, let’s deal with the all-important overhaul of your possibly time-wasting, energy-draining current schedule, so that you can then move on to having more opportunity to spend on healthy habits.

Productivity Techniques to Work into Your Busy Routine

The Pomodoro Technique
All you need is a timer. You pick a task, set the timer for 25 minutes, work on the task until the timer rings, and then take a 5-minute break. This is one Pomodoro. Then repeat the process. After four Pomodoros, you take a longer, 30-minute break. Grab a cup of coffee, refill you water bottle, or stretch a little. You can actually get a lot accomplished by following this type of disciplined procedure.

A Coffee Nap
Drink some coffee, fluff your pillow, set the timer to 30 minutes, and take a nap. If you fall asleep very easily, then 20 minutes will do. This technique will rejuvenate and increase your energy and focus levels, since you will be able to snooze before the caffeine kicks in, then be energized by it once it does.

If you have the chance to take a coffee nap on your working days, then great. Maybe you can head to the hotel where you’re staying or to where your car is parked. Or do it on your days off where you have to run your errands.

The “Do This First” Method
Do the most important crucial things first, and learn how to prioritize your daily tasks in descending order of importance. Even businessinsider.com writes about this smart idea, explaining why it works.

Also, we all talk about time management, but according to the behavior science expert, James Clear, to get more things accomplished in a day, you have to focus on your energy level. If your energy level is higher in the morning, then you do your most important tasks in the morning.

Create Lists
Lists will help you stay focused on what you have to do. For example, when you go to the grocery store, your food lists will not only save you time, but also help you avoid buying unhealthy or unnecessary products.

Create a “Don’t-Do” List
Write down three habits that may be preventing you from fully completing your tasks or acquiring a certain good, healthy habit. Stick a reminder on your computer, wall, or fridge – for example, “I won’t skip breakfast.”

Productivity Drainers to Eliminate

Multitasking
Multitasking is not good for weight management. For example, at work, set aside an adequate amount of time for eating, and solely eating; if you are distractedly eating something while working, you may not pay attention to the signals your brain is sending to your stomach, saying that you’re already full.

Personal Triggers for Bad Habits
Let’s say every time you go to a bar, you also tend to eat unhealthy food. So don’t go to the bar. That would be your trigger. If you tend to overeat cookies when they are in your house, then don’t buy cookies.

Device Notifications
Most people say that is hard to concentrate if they’re getting email or social media messages every few minutes. So if possible, set a specific amount of time to check all of your messages just once a day, and delete social media applications from your phone.

Friends with Negative Habits
Think about the two or three people with whom you spend the majority of your time. Are they influencing your habits and behaviors? It doesn’t matter how smart you are, where you were born, or what family you came from, you will be affected by this aspect.  To be successful in life, one of the vital elements is the people with whom you surround yourself.