Learn what time blocking is, how it can reduce stress and boost productivity, and what are the best ways to apply it to your work routine.

I've found time blocking helps me manage my day, and at the same time, I use it as a tool to help others who have not adopted the art of time blocking. When I have a meeting with others who consistently schedule 30 minute meetings, but they are always running behind, I send a proposal for an hour. Why? Not using the full hour, gives those individuals some time back, and I stay on track.

What are the best ways to use time blocking for stress management at work?

Do you often feel overwhelmed by your workload, deadlines, and interruptions at work? Do you struggle to find time for your priorities, goals, and personal life? If so, you might benefit from using time blocking, a simple and effective technique for stress management and productivity. In this article, you will learn what time blocking is, how it can help you reduce stress and achieve more, and what are the best ways to implement it in your daily routine.

1 What is time blocking?

Time blocking is a method of planning your day by dividing it into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks or activities. Instead of working on multiple things at once or switching from one thing to another, you focus on one block at a time and complete it before moving on to the next. Time blocking helps you create a clear and realistic schedule, avoid distractions and procrastination, and track your progress and results.

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Ardra Morgan, PACE

PACE certified
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Time blocking is a great way to knock out large amounts of work on a project. It fits well with list making ( to-do and to-accomplish lists). As you move through a project you can anticipate when you will need to expend time on moving the project forward. Blocking time just for a single task, or group of "like" tasks, allows you to tune out other needs and keep your mind on that one task. You have a clear goal (task) in front of you and are able to limit distractions and time waste. This will relieve stress as you will actually see your progression on your project. Plus, you will see that it actually can take less time as you stay focused.

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2 How can time blocking reduce stress?

Time blocking can reduce stress in several ways. First, it can help you prioritize your most important and urgent tasks and align them with your goals and values. By doing this, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many or irrelevant things on your to-do list. Second, it can help you set boundaries and expectations for yourself and others. By blocking your time, you can communicate when you are available and when you are not, and avoid interruptions and conflicts. Third, it can help you balance your work and personal life. By blocking your time, you can make sure that you have enough time for your hobbies, health, family, and friends, and avoid burnout and resentment.

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Megan DeRosa

Stress & Wellbeing Expert | Women's Wellness Educator | Mind-Body Researcher | Ease Facilitator | Certified Yoga Therapist | Author
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Breaks between time blocks are essential for success. Cycling effort and ease—productivity and rest—supports optimal wellbeing, focus, and engagement at work (and prevents burn out).

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3 How to choose the right time blocks?

The right time blocks for you depend on your preferences, goals, and circumstances, but there are general guidelines to help you choose the best ones for your stress management and productivity. To start, dedicate at least one or two hours in the morning to your most important and challenging tasks, avoiding any distractions such as email or social media. Then, break down large tasks into smaller subtasks and assign them to different time blocks. This will make progress more visible and rewarding. Additionally, schedule breaks between time blocks to relax and recharge, such as through stretching or meditation. Leave some buffer time between blocks for unexpected issues or changes, and review your time blocks at the end of the day to evaluate how well you followed them and what you can improve.

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Megan DeRosa

Stress & Wellbeing Expert | Women's Wellness Educator | Mind-Body Researcher | Ease Facilitator | Certified Yoga Therapist | Author
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The breaks between time blocks are essential for success. Cycling effort and ease—productivity and rest—supports optimal wellbeing, focus, and engagement at work (and prevents burnout).

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4 How to use time blocking tools and apps?

Time blocking tools and apps can help you create, manage, and optimize your time blocks. There are many options available to suit your needs and preferences. For instance, Google Calendar allows you to create and edit your time blocks, sync them with other devices and platforms, and share them with others. Additionally, color codes, labels, reminders, and notifications can be used to organize and track your time blocks. Toggl Track is also useful for tracking and measuring how much time you spend on each time block, task, or project. Reports, charts, and insights can be used to analyze performance, productivity, and profitability. Todoist can be used to create and manage tasks, subtasks, and projects while assigning them to different time blocks. Filters, labels, priorities, and deadlines can be used to prioritize and organize tasks. Finally, Focus Booster enables the application of the Pomodoro technique to your time blocks as well as tracking sessions, breaks, and goals. Reports, graphs, and statistics can be used to monitor progress and productivity.

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5 How to overcome common time blocking challenges?

Time blocking is not a perfect or easy technique, and you might face some challenges or difficulties along the way. To avoid underestimating or overestimating how much time you need for each task or block, be realistic and honest about your abilities, expectations, and constraints. Utilize past experience and data to estimate your time more accurately, as well as tools and apps that help track and measure it. To prevent distraction or interruption, eliminate or minimize sources of it such as your phone, email, social media, or noise. Communicate availability and boundaries to others and use techniques that help stay focused and motivated such as setting goals, rewards, or deadlines. To avoid feeling bored or tired by working on the same task for too long, vary tasks and blocks with some diversity, novelty, or challenge. Recharge and refresh your mind and body with breaks, physical activity, or a change in environment.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Trish H.

Senior Vice President, Senior Trust Officer @ Bank of America Private Bank | CTFA, ATFA
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I've found time blocking helps me manage my day, and at the same time, I use it as a tool to help others who have not adopted the art of time blocking. When I have a meeting with others who consistently schedule 30 minute meetings, but they are always running behind, I send a proposal for an hour. Why? Not using the full hour, gives those individuals some time back, and I stay on track.

Like

What are the best ways to use time blocking for stress management at work?

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3

4

5

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1 What is time blocking?

2 How can time blocking reduce stress?

3 How to choose the right time blocks?

4 How to use time blocking tools and apps?

5 How to overcome common time blocking challenges?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Stress Management

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What are the best ways to use time blocking for stress management at work?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 What is time blocking?

2 How can time blocking reduce stress?

3 How to choose the right time blocks?

4 How to use time blocking tools and apps?

5 How to overcome common time blocking challenges?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Stress Management

Rate this article

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