Always rushing? You could have 'hurry sickness'

Take your time back

If you always feel like you're running late and the thought of showing up even a minute after the arrival time makes you feel ill, you may have 'hurry sickness'. Here's how to get your time back.

Are you constantly apologising for being even one minute late? Multitasking to the point of forgetting what you initially set out to do? Showing up everywhere sweaty and flushed because you’re so concerned you’ll be late? You could have ‘hurry sickness’. 

While not a medical diagnosis, the affliction can have a pretty big effect on our mental health. The term describes the experience of constantly rushing and feeling a sense of urgency, overwhelm and anxiety at the prospect of being late – even if you’re always the first one to arrive anywhere. 

According to Body+Soul’s Health of the Nation report, 41 per cent of Australians feel they don’t have enough time to pursue better health and wellbeing, and one third of us feel stressed or anxious on a weekly basis. 

The chronic stress of constantly worrying about being late and rushing can actually hinder us from getting anything done. 

The impact of hurry sickness

Irritability

Constantly feeling under the pump and the need to rush everywhere makes us more reactive to things getting in the way of our schedule. 

If the lift is taking longer than expected, if someone stops you for a chat while you’re speed walking to a meeting, or if traffic is worse than you had planned, you may find yourself getting overly emotional or snapping at people. 

Overwhelm

If you’re always thinking about your to-do list and telling yourself you have no time to check things off, you can very quickly start to feel overwhelmed or anxious about getting things done. Even a list of only five tasks can feel extremely long if you’re convincing yourself you won’t be able to get anything finished. 

If the lift is taking longer than expected, if someone stops you for a chat while you’re speed walking to a meeting, or if traffic is worse than you had planned, you may find yourself getting overly emotional or snapping at people.  Image: Pexels

Burnout

Constantly being in a state of stress and overworking yourself can quickly lead to burnout. 

Difficulty completing tasks

As it turns out, rushing to get everything done quickly actually makes it harder to get anything done at all. 

Speaking to HuffPost, environmental psychologist and well-being consultant Lee Chambers said, “[Hurry sickness] shows up as a hyperawareness of what you need to do, constantly playing over and over in your head.”

“This can be so overconsuming that you actually end up forgetting things or making mistakes because you’re rushing and thinking about the next task while doing your present one.”

“This can be so overconsuming that you actually end up forgetting things or making mistakes because you’re rushing and thinking about the next task while doing your present one.” Image: iStock

How to soothe your 'hurry sickness'

#1. Stop seeing rest as the enemy

Giving yourself time to rest and move slowly isn't being lazy, it's giving your brain and body time to recover. You'll probably find you can get more tasks done more efficiently if you aren't starting them tired and stressed. 

#2. Write it all down

A checklist can feel a lot longer when it's only in our heads. Write down everything you need to do, ideally in an hourly journal, so you can see you actually do have enough time. 

Write down everything you need to do, ideally in an hourly journal, so you can see you actually do have enough time.  Image: Getty

#3. Call for support

It can sometimes feel impossible to snap out of the stressful state of constantly rushing, often all it takes is a quick chat to pull you out of it. Call your mum, colleague, a friend, or anyone who makes you feel calm. The chances are they'll also tell you that you have plenty of time to do everything you wish to, and show you that being late isn't that big of an issue. 

#4. Plan to be late

If you're really worried about being late, pre-empt that you will be short on time. Planning to arrive a few minutes late gives you extra time to make sure you're punctual, no matter how bad the traffic or slow the lift is. 

#5. Try meditating

It's important to get back control over your brain. Meditating can help you to put things into perspective while calming your body and mind.

Originally published as Always rushing? You could have 'hurry sickness'