Managing mail and documents can be too much sometimes. Physical mail and digital documents tend to pile up, making it really easy to feel overwhelmed. But fortunately, implementing a few effective strategies can help make the process a lot easier to deal with. To learn how to manage your mail and other necessary documents — whether digital or physical — use these eight tips to help you get started.

Create a sorting system.

In order to stay on top of your documents, you have to be organized. And the easiest way to organize a stack of papers is by sorting them. To do this, you can create a sorting system to manage your physical and even digital documents.

For physical mail, you’ll need a few trays: one for incoming mail, one for outgoing, and another for action-required documents.

Then, for digital mail, you can create folders in your email and cloud storage that sort documents based on their relevance or urgency.

Make prioritizing your priority.

A lot of the mail we receive is junk. And for the most part, much of it doesn’t need your immediate attention.

Because of this, prioritizing your mail based on its importance and urgency is the best course of action to take. That way, you can allocate time each day or week to look over high-priority items first, so that they don’t get buried under a mountain of less critical tasks.

Set aside dedicated time.

Speaking of allocating time, another way to make managing your mail a lot more convenient is by setting aside time to do it.

Whether you like to sort through your emails in the morning or tackle physical mail after dinner, having a designated time block for managing your mail can help you stay on top of incoming correspondence so that you don’t become overwhelmed later on.

Limit mail and document clutter.

According to research, an untidy space can have a negative effect on the mind. And having a cluttered space not only makes it difficult to find important items when you need them, but it can easily impede your productivity, too.

To maintain a healthy and productive environment, especially if you work from home, try to make decluttering a part of your everyday routine.

You can declutter your mailbox by deleting irrelevant emails and unsubscribing from any mailing lists that you aren’t actively engaged with. For physical mail, quickly scan and shred your documents to digitize any critical papers, which removes unneeded clutter responsibly.

Utilize technology.

Leverage technology to make managing mail easier. You can do this by investing in scanning apps like CamScanner or Adobe Scan that digitize physical documents quickly. This makes them easily searchable and accessible on your devices.

Additionally, in order to organize incoming correspondence, you can use email filters and automation tools that reduce manual effort.

Implement a filing system.

Nobody wants to frantically search for a document when they need it urgently. To avoid this, you can create a filing system for both physical and digital documents so that you can easily find whatever you need when you need it.

A well-structured filing system uses specific categories — financial, personal, work-related, etc. — to organize your documents. Be sure to use descriptive filenames and folder labels to make navigating the system even more simple.

Stay safe.

When working with personal documents, security is of utmost importance. To keep criminals from accessing your mail, be sure to practice security measures for protecting your physical and digital documents.

This includes utilizing encryption software to protect your digital files or investing in secure storage solutions like a fireproof safe or lockable file cabinet for physical mail.

Don’t forget to be extra cautious about phishing scams. And avoid sharing confidential information via text or email without verifying the source.

Maintain it regularly.

To prevent your mail from piling up, be sure to schedule regular maintenance sessions to review and update your mail and document management system.

Get rid of any outdated or redundant items, update your file labels as needed, and fine-tune your organization strategy whenever new needs arise. Staying on top of your system will save you time and energy in the long run.