The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Time-saving life hacks for back to school time

- By Grace Derocha For Digital First Media

According to a recent report, U.S. adults working an average of 47 hours per week struggle to establish a worklife balance. When kids head back to school, managing time can be especially challengin­g for busy parents. Small changes can make great timesavers. these devices can save time and stress, as excessive technology use has been linked to fatigue and mental-health problems.

Plan Ahead: Each morning, prioritize tasks and determine what must be done. List-making helps you organize. Teaching kids how to get ready or making a chore board can allow family members to tackle their responsibi­lities efficientl­y.

Stop with the Snooze Button: Believe it or not, hitting the snooze button does more harm than good. Every time we hit reset, the sleep cycle starts again, leaving you feeling more tired than before.

Whether at work or home, staying focused and energized throughout the day can sometimes be difficult. Unproducti­ve afternoons often lead to late-night stress and restless sleeping patterns.

Curb the Caffeine: Coffee, energy drinks and pop provide short-term energy, followed by an afternoon crash. Alternativ­es like tea can provide energy without a mid-day crash.

Take Breaks: Chronic stress at work and home takes a toll on the mind and body. Taking breaks throughout the day to walk, meditate, go outside or eat a snack helps fuel the body and brain to get things done.

Get Moving: For some, fitting a workout into a busy day can seem impossible. Research shows that interval training and strength conditioni­ng is more effective for weight loss in just 15-20 minutes.

Ditch the Devices: The blue light emitted from electronic devices activates neurons in the brain that cause a person to feel awake. Put away devices at least one hour before bed to wind down for proper rest.

 ?? COURTESY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ?? When you plan your day, you can plan not to have a meltdown.
COURTESY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD When you plan your day, you can plan not to have a meltdown.

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