How to Conquer Busy Days

This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser, ZonePerfect. #MyLittleWins #CollectiveBias

I find myself using, “I’m a busy girl” as an excuse and explanation for a ton of things in my daily life. I can’t call home because I’m a busy girl, I can’t cook a real dinner because I’m a busy girl, I can’t move from lying on the floor complaining about life because I’m a busy girl…you get the gist.

It’s become something of a joke at this point, but ultimately it’s fairly true. I love being busy, in fact I’ve written about the beauty of being busy, but it definitely does take a toll. All in all, it is possible to conquer busy days without losing your energy and your mind, it just takes a little bit of work, nourishment and motivation.

1. Utilize your free moments in a way you want.

Allow the few moments in your day where you’re not busy to become a way to keep you sane. You might like to drink tea, meditate, watch YouTube or read. When I have some free time during a commute or during a busy day, I like to either read a book or catch up on my Bloglovin feed. For me, it’s helpful to always keep a book in my bag so I can utilize my free time instead of mindlessly scrolling on my phone pretending to look busy.

The important thing is doing what you want. I, for one, absolutely will not spend my free time meditating. I’m easily bored and hate silence but meditating might make you feel awesome.

2. Wear comfortable shoes (or bring them with you).

Being busy likely means you’ll be out and about and running around all day. It may be nice to wear really pretty shoes, but it’d be even nicer to be comfy. If you have to wear heels or uncomfortable shoes for some reason, toss a pair of comfortable shoes in your bag. You won’t regret it! I recommend a pair of White Vans because they match everything and are super comfy.

3. Keep a protein bar in your bag.

I keep a protein bar in my backpack and purse all of the time. ZonePerfect® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Nutrition Bars are my new favorite because they have protein to help me stay lively and they’re also cookie dough flavored. Anything cookie dough flavored already has my heart. ZonePerfect® Chocolate Peanut Butter Nutrition Bars are another tasty option for any peanut butter lovers out there.

These bars help you get through the day and they’re a much healthier option than a candy bar. Plus, keeping a bar in your bag will stop you from spending extra money on the vending machine when hunger strikes. Saving money and making this healthier choice definitely is one of my Little Wins™ during a busy day. Sometimes the simplest of acts such as being able to enjoy a snack or read parts of your favorite book while on the go are some of the best little wins!

4. Bring a phone charger and portable battery with you.

You should always keep these with you when you’re on the go, but these especially come in handy during a busy day. During my summer internship, I found myself often saved by my portable charger…it made answering business emails on the bus possible! This can help you optimize your time during a busy day or it can help you take a break.

5. Make a list of priorities.

What are the most important things that must get done today? What are the things that should get done today but don’t necessarily have to be done? Rank your to-do list by priority and necessity in order to avoid overwhelming yourself.

Crossing things off of my to-do list is another way I add Little Wins to my day! I love having a physical list on paper because literally crossing something out is incredibly satisfying.

6. Drink plenty of water.

Bring a reusable water bottle with you if possible. Drinking water will help keep you feeling good and staying hydrated, which we all know is important.

7. Say “no” to things.

If you’re already busy, only tack on more busy if you can handle it and know that whatever you’re adding to your plate is beneficial or necessary. For example, over the summer I was overwhelmed with blog sponsorship opportunities and while it was hard to turn them down, I knew I’d most likely lose my shit if I took on any more than I was already taking on. It’s okay to turn things down and you don’t even need a great reason.

You can also read out Signs It’s Time To Quit if you’re a little unsure of whether or not quitting/saying “no” is in the cards. Quitting doesn’t always make you a failure, sometimes it helps you become more of a success.

8. Know when to put your phone on Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb.

If you need to really submerse yourself in something, whether it be studying or doing work, adjusting your phone’s settings ensures your phone will not be a distraction. I suggest using Do Not Disturb mode and adjusting your settings so phone calls still come through. Then, you won’t have to worry about missing any emergencies or dire situations. You also won’t be able to use the excuse of, “What if someone important is trying to get in touch?” because they’ll be able to without you being interrupted by less important texts and tweets.

9. Use timers.

If you’re really busy and need to ensure you stay on top of your tasks, set timers. Allot a certain amount of time to each item on your to-do list and set a timer so you can stay on track. This is especially great if you’re taking a break so you avoid turning a break into an endless void of not getting things done.

A lot of people enjoy the Pomodoro technique, which is almost the same thing except a little more intricate, so you can also look into that if you find timers to be helpful to you.

10. Pencil in time to wind down at the end of the day.

After a busy day, it’s important to get plenty of sleep and find time to relax. Take a hot shower, throw on your comfiest pajamas and take a few moments to chill. Try to go to bed at a reasonable time so you can recharge.

You can find the ZonePerfect Bars I mentioned earlier at Walmart in the health/protein aisle! Plus, as part of their Little Wins campaign, ZonePerfect is giving away a ton of prizes, so definitely enter below.

How do you conquer busy days?

ZonePerfect® #MyLittleWinsSweepstakes