To-Do List Out Of Control? Try These 10 Stress-Busters

Do you get stressed around the holidays with just too much to do?  Many of us feel more stress, anxiety and depression during the holidays. In addition to the normal demands of running a start-up and teaching, I've got presents to buy, travel to plan and a child to get to college. At last count, I have 166 items on my to-do list.

But, I have developed a strategy which helps, using behavioral economics, and a lot of trial and error. Here are my ten best ideas for being productive, composed and sane this holiday season and throughout the new year.

1. Reframe. Stress need not be a bad thing. It's literally "any one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium." Equilibrium is nice and comfortable, but does not support change and growth. Consider stress a sign that you really care deeply about whatever the source is. This kind of good stress (or eustress) can motivate you to get it done and done well.
2. Make a list. I'm (obviously) a big believer in to-do lists: they help in three ways. Putting all I need to do on a list frees up mental bandwidth since I no longer have to try to remember what I needed to do. Second, when I complete each item, I get the good feeling of crossing it off the list. Third, if I divide large projects into several tasks, they not only become less overwhelming, but also the goal gradient effect motivates me to finish. (I use and recommend Todoist to manage my list.)
3. Think big (and small). Appreciate how each task fits into your personal mission in life, your connections with others and your contributions to society. Many to-dos are opportunities for growth, learning and personal expression. You may also find they have intrinsic values that make them worth doing in themselves, without reference to other, external rewards.
4. Meditate. I spend a little time meditating every morning using the free insight timer. (I recommend this easy, starter meditation.) I find it reduces stress while increasing productivity and creativity. When I begin to stress-out, I can remember those peaceful moments, notice my breath, and recover more quickly.
5. Exercise. Before my meditation, I practice yoga. Of course, everyone has to pick the mode of exercise that works best for them. For me, yoga is low-impact and quiets my mind in advance of meditating. It also gets the blood flowing, which I find also gets my brain working better.
6. Create your mise en place. Set up your workspace so that everything you will need is in easy reach. Close unneeded computer windows and browser tabs and remove unnecessary distractions. Place cues nearby that will motivate you, such as pictures of your family, clients or goals.
7. Put that #$%*^ phone away! I have turned off nearly all of my phone's and computer's notifications, even for new emails. It can take 25 minutes to return to a task after being interrupted. I instead mindfully check my messages during specific times of the day or during my breaks.
8. Take breaks. Ironically, taking frequent pauses and limiting your overall hours working can make you more productive. According to Dan Pink, the most effective breaks have you being social and in nature (or at least in a different environment.) I often use a pomodoro timer to nudge me to take breaks every 25 minutes and stay focused between breaks. I let it stop me in the middle of tasks to leverage the Zeigarnik Effect, which motivates to complete the task when I return from my break.
9. Be kind to yourself. I like to joke that I have the worst boss. He's constantly adding to my to-do list (even on weekends!), complains when I take a break, limits vacation time and rarely acknowledges successes. Of course, I'm self-employed. To be kinder to myself, I remember to satisfice-- get things to good enough, but not necessarily perfect. I will also delegate tasks when appropriate.
10. Journal. I follow Sarah Fallaw's advice and write a few sentences at the end of the day about both my feelings and my cognitions (thoughts) to make sense of those feelings. Writing down what I'm grateful for and the successes I had is a ritual that helps to bookend my day and relax.

Is it ironic that I've added ten things to do that will help you get other tasks done? Perhaps. Will all of these tips work for everyone? Perhaps not. At the very least, investing some additional thought into the how and why we are trying to accomplish so much, can help us be more productive and less stressed now and throughout the year.