• Coping Skills Home Practice

    Time Management

    Coping

     

    Why should we manage our time better? We may feel stressed when it seems like we do not have enough time to fulfill our responsibilities/commitments AND take enough downtime for ourselves and our personal interests.  It is also very stressful when we find ourselves falling behind in our responsibilities, and always trying to catch up.  With proper planning we can manage our time, decrease our stress and feel more successful!

    Time Management Tips:

    • Recording: Choose a scheduling tool where you will record everything that you have to do.  This could be a written agenda book, a calendar on your phone or ipad, etc.  You may choose to highlight your responsibilities and commitments in one color and your downtime activities in another color.

     

    • Scheduling: Before you make plans or take on an additional responsibility or activity, check your schedule.  Evaluate whether or not you have enough time, and commit to only as much as you have time for.

     

    • Checking: Every morning when you get up, check your schedule to see what you have to do that day.  Setting an alarm or leaving yourself a post-it note may help you remember to check.  This will help you be prepared for your day. 

     

    • Plan Ahead: Waiting till the last minute will increase your stress, so try to allow yourself plenty of time to complete each task.

     

    • Add variety: A daily schedule that includes some variety can help you stay focused and motivated while also allowing you to stay healthy and successful. 
      • Time for work completion, assignments and responsibilities
      • Quiet downtime to listen to music mindfully
      • Physical activity
      • Time outdoors
      • Time to be creative
      • Time to connect with friends and family
      • Time to pursue your interests

    “Be Mindful card deck helps you be in the here and now with less thinking about the past or worrying about the future.  You can use these daily mindfulness tools when you’re feeling anxious, moody, angry or just need to relax.”

    Practice strategies from “Be Mindful” card deck:

    • “Your Breath is an anchor to this moment”: Think of your chest and envison an anchor. You can always pay attention to your breath as the anchor to your body when you are stressed, sad, anxious or angry.

     

    • “Kindness to another”: Do or say something nice to someone else today for no reason. Notice what it feels like when you are kind to another.

     

    • “An attitude of gratitude”: Right now stop and ask yourself: What am I grateful for?  If you can’t think of anything ask yourself, “is there any part of my health, family, friends, pets, school or hobbies that I am grateful for?”  Remember to bring an attitude of gratitude to your day.

     

    Positive Coping Strategies/Fun Activities: Choose a few activities you would like to do this week...

    Listen to music mindfully

    Go for a walk, run or bike ride

    Lie down and look at the clouds, find different shapes

    Read

    Draw, Paint

    Color

    Play in instrument

    Spend some time outdoors, enjoy nature

    Spend time with a pet

    Play a game

    Write a story about a fun memory you have

    Baking/Cooking

    Send a card or letter to a friend or family member (through the mail)

    Practice a sport outside

    Make a meal for your family

    Practice breathing, relaxation techniques

    Listen to Guided Meditation

    Write something you are grateful for each day

    Send a thank you note or card

    Call a friend or family member (on the phone) just to say hi

    Practice an instrument and then record yourself playing; share with family and friends

    Play a game with friends or family through video chat

    Organize or clean your room

    Watch a funny movie