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Struggling to manage your time efficiently? You're not alone. While time management may appear to be an innate skill, many of us struggle to master it. Consequently, we often experience feelings of disorientation and inadequacy by day's end, which can gradually take a toll on our mental well-being.

Moreover, deficient time management can have repercussions on our physical health as well. Feeling constantly overwhelmed may hinder our ability to engage in regular exercise or make healthy dietary choices, leading to reliance on fast food and a sedentary lifestyle.

Improving your time management and focus is within reach with deliberate effort, as these skills frequently overlap. Lia Garvin, author of "Unstuck" and founder of The Workplace Reframe, highlights that nearly everyone encounters challenges in these areas. "We're all being pulled in so many directions," she notes.

Below are five of the best time management skills you need to follow to improve your mental health.

Minimize Distractions

How frequently does your phone vibrate throughout the day? Are you constantly drawn to check notifications from apps, texts, and emails? You're not alone in this behavior, but it's not the most efficient use of your time. According to organizational psychologist Rik Nemanick from Nemanick Leadership Consulting in St. Louis, many apps, especially social media platforms, are intentionally designed to captivate users and prolong their usage.

To enhance focus, consider disabling unnecessary notifications, except for critical ones, such as messages from family members. Modern smartphones offer customizable notification settings, allowing users to manage their alerts more effectively and minimize distractions, per Nemanick.

Keep a To-Do List

Central to effective time management is maintaining a to-do list. Garvin explains that relying solely on mental lists can drain your cognitive resources and lead to forgetfulness. By writing down tasks, whether on paper or using note-taking apps, you can enhance focus and productivity. Additionally, planning for future goals increases the likelihood of success and reduces distractions, as evidenced by a 2011 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Experts recommend creating a to-do list for the following day, prioritizing one to three key tasks. Avoid over-scheduling, allowing flexibility for unforeseen interruptions while keeping focus and reducing anxiety over impending tasks.

Utilize Your Calendar Effectively

While you likely use a calendar to track deadlines and meetings, incorporating another element can elevate your time management skills significantly. Allocate time slots in your calendar for various tasks and deliverables, including projects and reports. Break down these tasks into smaller steps, estimate the time needed for each, and schedule them accordingly, advises Amie Devero, founder and CEO of Beyond Better Strategy and Coaching in Tampa.

"Initially, just doing this makes a huge difference to the uncertainty of what you should do next. It also signals your brain to settle in for a specific task until the time block is complete," Devero explained, U.S. News reported. Adhering to your calendar provides structure and enhances productivity.

However, navigating unexpected interruptions, such as impromptu meetings initiated by coworkers, may pose challenges. Nonetheless, strive to maintain your schedule and communicate any concerns with your manager if necessary.

Harness the Pomodoro Technique

Introduced in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro technique, as explained by productivity specialist Melissa Gratias of Savannah, Georgia, offers a structured approach to enhancing focus and productivity in short intervals. To implement this technique, set a timer, easily accessible through various timer apps on your phone, and commit to working for 25 minutes uninterrupted.

Upon completing this time block, reward yourself with a five-minute break. Repeat this cycle four times, totaling two hours of focused work, before indulging in a longer break lasting 15 to 30 minutes. During your 25-minute work periods, remain steadfast and avoid distractions. If an unavoidable interruption arises, utilize your five-minute break to regroup and restart the cycle.

Maximize Productivity by Scheduling Around Peak Performance

Assess your daily rhythm to pinpoint your most productive periods, advises Garvin. If unsure, observe when you accomplish the most throughout the day. Are mornings your prime time, or do you thrive in the quiet hours after your children are asleep? Identify these peak productivity windows and, whenever possible, organize your tasks around them.

Allocate tasks that require less mental effort, particularly during post-lunch lulls or other periods of diminished alertness. By aligning your workload with your natural energy peaks, you can optimize efficiency and tackle tasks with heightened focus and effectiveness.

Commit to implementing these time management techniques consistently for at least three weeks to establish new habits. While perfection may not be attainable, even small improvements can lead to significant progress in managing your time more effectively. As you incorporate these strategies into your routine, you'll likely experience reduced stress, increased productivity, and a greater sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.