Schedule a Weekly Social Activity

At the start of each week, plan an activity that you can enjoy with your family or friends. Make sure the activity is built into your calendar. This will be your incentive to work hard throughout the week and manage your time well in order to get everything done before this special activity.

Treat the activity like you would treat class or work. You wouldn't skip class or work, so don't skip time dedicated to yourself and supporting or strengthening your relationships.

Eliminate Unproductive Activities

Track your daily habits. What activities do you catch yourself doing that don't enhance your career or personal life? Do you spend too much time surfing the web or on social media? If so, would it be worthwhile to eliminate those activities and create time for in-person activities or outings?

In order to have a healthy life balance, set priorities for yourself and avoid procrastination. Take note of the times you catch yourself reneging on your daily and weekly responsibilities — laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping, paying bills on time — in favor of activities that make you inefficient.

The next time you catch yourself procrastinating, redirect your energies to finishing something on your to-do list. Do this until you have eliminated those habits altogether.

Don't Take On Too Much

If your efforts to make time for yourself have proven unsuccessful, maybe you're taking on too much. If you're saying "yes" to too many tasks, it's important to learn to say "no" and focus on yourself.

Prioritize your responsibilities. First, limit yourself to the tasks you must complete for your boss, school and community — then, do personal chores, such as car maintenance, laundry and grocery shopping.

Focus on the tasks that you enjoy performing and eliminate the ones you simply don't have time for. Your happiness and overall well-being are more important than all the extra tasks you may be completing now. (Still, be careful not to say no to your boss too often!)

Make Your Life Enjoyable

Approach life with a positive attitude. You cannot guarantee that every second of your time will be perfect. If something goes wrong, learn from your mistakes, and appreciate the good in your life. Make sure to take time and laugh every day. Be social, go out with friends, exercise, have fun.

Remember that physical activity has been shown time and time again to help reduce stress and improve efficiency. Add more activities that you enjoy into your schedule and make sure to take at least 10 to 15 minutes a day to recharge.

Know When to Seek Help

If you're feeling overwhelmed, talking to others can help. Everyone needs help from time to time, and reaching out for this help is normal. The following signs may indicate that you're feeling stressed and may want to ask for help:

• Exaggerated irritability.
• Withdrawal from social interaction.
• Increased distractedness, forgetfulness and confusion.
• Anxiety or depression.
• Changes in sleep.
• Emotional outbursts and crying.
• Excessive worry and fear.

There is not just one way to get help. You can talk to a variety of people, including peers, help hotlines, counselors, religious figures, advisors and therapists. Many colleges have school counselors who can help you with your class schedule or time management. You may also have access to group therapy or individual sessions with a school psychologist.

If this is an option for you, try scheduling an appointment to see if it helps. If you're not a student, speak to a trusted adult or make an appointment with your healthcare provider. You can also check online to see if your county offers free or low-cost therapy through public interest mental health providers.

Reviewed by: Lauren Twietmeyer

Last reviewed: October 2019