By Kelsey Romanoff, LCPC
Clinical Director and Psychotherapist at Naperville Wellness and Counseling
Hurry Sickness is a prolonged sense of urgency. We are pressed for time, yet we don’t feel we have enough of it.
If you’re a parent, you especially know what I mean. Household chores, tending to the children’s needs, and working either outside (or inside) of the home. Those tasks alone will easily total 25 hours in a day. Additionally, our bodies need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Not to mention exercise, meal prepping, and time for self-care or other basic human needs.
Phew. It’s exhausting thinking about it.
“After this week, things will slow down.” Have you whispered this to yourself, spouse, partner, kids, or friends before?
It feels as though there is a pressing need to get everything done, in a short amount of time, followed by the fear or dread of not being able to get “caught up.” Sometimes slowing down can be overwhelming and it can be easier to distract ourselves with tasks, overworking, and focus on being efficient.
When we are living a life of being rushed, we are not living in the present moment. If we are not living in the present moment, we notice symptoms of this Hurry Sickness creep into our life, within our relationships, overall sense of safety, functioning, mood, and more.
So, does this sound familiar and could you have Hurry Sickness?
Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, depression, hyperawareness, sensitivity, mood swings, restlessness, and the list goes on. Our mood, mind, and body are all connected.
Researchers looked at over 3,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 30 and noted that a sense of urgency with time, as well as impatience, were more at risk for developing hypertension later in life. Clearly our bodies carry the stress from being “too busy,” and it is evident that we could greatly benefit by slowing down.
So, how do we battle Hurry Sickness?
Prioritize healthy boundaries, set aside time for quality rest, and recognize our limits. Mindfulness, physical movement, and building in breaks are some ways to combat hurry sickness. Relaxation and alone time allow space to create the balance we deserve, for the sake of our mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Therapy can help give you a space to organize your thoughts, gain additional social support, and learn coping skills. With a qualified and licensed professional, you can feel equipped and empowered with newfound tools that will support your desire to create healthy boundaries, self-care, and a life less rushed. A life more present is a life well-lived.
Naperville Wellness and Counseling is accepting new clients. If you are interested in scheduling for therapy or would like more information, email Kelsey Romanoff at kromanoff@napervillewellnessandcounseling.com, visit our website at www.napervillewellnessandcounseling.com, or reach us by phone 630-614-1164. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram @napervillewellnesscounseling for mental health awareness, trends, and tips.
If you are in an emergency or need immediate mental health assistance, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room. The national suicide and crisis hotline is 9-8-8.
References: www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/hurry-sickness#takeaway, www.mindtools.com/pages/article/how-to-beat-hurry-sickness.htm.
