12 Practical Tips on How to Be Productive Under Stress

Sometimes you have a lot going on and it’s hard to keep up with everything. Maybe you have way too many things to do or you are in the middle of a very big and important project that you just can’t fail. This can make it very hard for you to focus and being productive under stress is not easy. The good news is, it can still be done.

It could also be that something bad has happened to you or you are scared of what’s going to happen. I know what it’s like to not be able to focus on anything when all you can think about is something bad that already happened or something that might happen soon. It’s awful and there’s nothing that can magically take that feeling away.

But even then, it could be that the only thing you really can do in that situation is to work. It might sound impossible at first, but I assure you, you can be productive even when you are super stressed.

I wrote some of my best university essays when I was so stressed that I could barely focus on one thing for half a minute. After finishing those essays I didn’t even know what I had written about, but I still got better grades than I usually did. I was able to complete my normal courses and some extra courses too. And looking back, I’m glad I got things done instead of just sitting at home in trepidation.

If you have too much in your mind but you still have to be productive, try these tips. I can’t promise you that things will be easy, but I’m sure they will at least get a bit more manageable.

1. Be very clear about what you have to do

The most important thing is that you are very clear about what exactly you have to get done. Having a vague to-do list in your head is not going to cut it. Write everything you have to do on paper so that you don’t have to worry about for sure remembering to do everything.

You might also want to categorize your to-dos so that it’s easier to know what you have to do first or what are the most crucial things to get done.

2. Forget about perfection

If you have a lot on your plate, you really don’t have time for perfection. Just forget about trying to do everything as well as you possibly can. The important thing is to get things done. Keep in mind that other people usually don’t even notice the difference between something that is done well and something that is done “perfectly”.

3. Is there anything you can do about the problem

If you have a specific problem or worry in mind, ask yourself if there is anything you can do about it right now. Often we worry about things that we simply can’t do anything about or things that might not even happen. If that is the case, tell yourself that it’s better to put your worries to the side and focus on what you can do.

4. Set specific times to worry

This might sound funny, but it does help. If you can work on the problem or it’s for example related to your work, set yourself specific times when you think about the problem. This way you can freely focus on other things the rest of the day.

If you for example are unemployed and you absolutely hate going to job interviews or making phone calls, there’s no need to worry after the working hours are over. No recruiter is going to call you at 6 pm, so why worry about it then? If you make a scary phone call at 10 am, you’re done for that day and you can tell yourself that it’s ok to focus on nice things now.

5. Prioritize

If you are mostly stressed because there are too many things to do, you should prioritize the most important things and then try to get them done as fast as possible. Again, progress matters much more than perfection. Define what are the things that you absolutely have to do and what are the things that can wait or can possibly be skipped altogether.

6. Focus on one thing at once

Don’t try to do everything at once. When it’s time to do a certain task, that’s the only thing you need to be thinking about. You might want to dedicate a few hours or even a day to just one thing. This way you can safely discard everything else, get that one thing done, and afterwards you will hopefully feel a bit less stressed because now there’s one less thing on your list.

7. Take small breaks

When you are stressed, your brain is not at its best. Take small breaks every once in a while to lower your stress. Don’t just check your phone, that will not help you de-stress. Instead, listen to music, watch some Youtube videos that help you believe in yourself, or try meditation. You could also go for a short walk or call a friend.

8. Exercise

Exercise is a great way to get that “I can do this” feeling that will definitely help you both feel better but also tackle your to-do list. For example, running is a great option, since it pushes you to your limit and makes you feel much better afterwards.

Any kind of exercise can be good when you want to relieve stress, but you might want to try either something fast-paced or something that will definitely help you relax, like yoga.

9. Remember to eat and sleep well

If you want to be productive under stress, you have to take care of yourself. It’s crucial that you sleep enough and eat well. Otherwise you simply won’t feel good and it will be even harder to get things done. Skip the unhealthy snacks and eat a lot of vegetables and fruit. They will help you feel better and give you the right kind of energy.

It’s also good to eat some healthy snacks like apples or nuts in between meals.

10. Take some time to declutter

Mess and clutter are never good, but they are especially bad when you have a hard time focusing. Clean your work area and make sure everything is at least somewhat in order. This will help you focus on what matters.

It’s hard to get much done if you are stressed and everything is a mess, but decluttering can give you a sense of accomplishment and it will be easier to get things done.

11. Listen to energetic music

Music can have a huge impact on your feelings and it can make you see the situation in a different, more positive light. Try listening to some energetic or even angry music. This kind of music can make you feel like you can do anything and you just have to power through the situation. Start your day by listening to some music and your day is bound to be better.

12. Delegate what you can

If you have too many things to do, try to delegate some of them to someone else. Maybe someone else can do most of the household chores or someone could take on more responsibility in a group project that you are a part of? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to do everything alone. Now it’s important that you focus on what really matters.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways in which you can be more productive when you are under stress. It’s not easy, but it is doable.

Here are some other posts that you might find interesting:

How to Start Believing in Yourself
20 Powerful Affirmations for Self-confidence
How to Train Yourself to Act Confident (with 8 Mental Hacks!)

Do you feel like stress makes it almost impossible to focus on anything or get much done? Or do you feel like you are at your best when you have way too many things to do? Share your thoughts down below and make sure to share this article!