Do e-mail, beepers and cell phones cause you to react to others’ needs first? Frequent distractions can make it seem as though life is out of control. Besides causing frustration, these distractions also cause stress, which may lead to serious conditions such as heart disease and depression. These ideas can help you take control of your time — and well-being:

• Make time to prioritize. Review your goals and take stock of what you want to accomplish. Be reasonable with time lines.
• Group together similar activities. Tend to phone calls and e-mails at designated times during the day.
• Avoid distractions with no value. For example, if you notice yourself being drawn into a TV show, ask yourself if you really want to watch it. While it’s OK to change your agenda, be sure to think consciously about your choice.
• Organize at home. A clutter-free home can help daily life flow more smoothly. Start small at first.
• Learn to say no. Do what is important to you and your values.
• Say yes to “you” time. Schedule downtime just as you would for a meeting or an errand.
• Maintain a positive attitude. Focus on the things you can control instead of what you can’t.