METRO — Busy days tend to be productive days. But when especially busy days are strung together, adults can begin to feel a little overwhelmed and may wonder if there’s anything they can do to make hectic schedules more manageable.

Time management strategies can be an effective tool in busy adults’ arsenals. Efficient time management can free up more minutes or hours in the day, which can ultimately afford adults more time to exhale and thus make each day seem a little less overwhelming. Time management may require a little trial and error before adults find a formula that works for them, but the following are some tips to improve personal efficiency each day.

— Identify tasks that can be tackled at night. A hectic start to a morning can set a bad precedent for the rest of the day. With that in mind, adults can identify tasks they can perform at night to ensure mornings are less hectic. Lay out clothes the night before to save the trouble of finding an outfit in the morning. Prepare the family’s lunches and even breakfasts the night before so mornings go more smoothly.

— Exercise in the morning. A recent study from the World Health Organization published in the Lancet Global Health Journal found that 31 percent of adults don’t get enough exercise. Lack of routine physical activity has been linked to a host of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Adults who exercise at night may find that attempts to squeeze in early evening or nighttime workouts add to feelings of being overwhelmed brought on by busy schedules. Exercising in the morning can free up time for other tasks in the evening, and doing so can even make it easier to manage daily stress, as the Mayo Clinic reports that exercise in any form releases endorphins and helps to relieve stress.

— Minimize distractions. Distractions are arguably more prevalent than ever, as many adults feel nary a minute goes by without a smartphone notification and/or message from friends, family and coworkers. Minimizing those distractions and resolving to tackle one task at a time can improve efficiency and reduce stress. Turn off smartphone notifications from apps that are not vital to work and family. During the workday, prioritize tasks each day and block off hours on your schedule so time can be devoted exclusively to the most important jobs. If hours on a schedule are left open, coworkers may schedule meetings that can make it difficult to complete necessary tasks.

— Adjust as necessary. Flexibility is a must when making an effort to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Each day presents its own unique and fluid challenges, so remaining flexible can help busy adults overcome unforeseen obstacles. In addition, some time management strategies may not be effective for everyone nor useful every day, so it’s best to recognize the need to adjust from time to time.

Time management strategies can help busy adults efficiently manage each day and hopefully reduce instances when individuals feel overwhelmed.