How to deal with the constant urge to do something useful
Miscellaneous / / August 10, 2021
Your productivity has a limit. If you cross it, don't expect anything good.
Have you noticed that even short breaks in activities are difficult for someone? So, a person can come up with activities on the go. For example, when the working day is over, he goes to clean the house. When there is already order, he hurries to the webinar. It can go so far that a person stops resting altogether and does something useful all the time. And only when there is no more strength at all, he begins to plan the next day in order to spend it even more efficiently.
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We will tell you why some people literally cannot live without constant work or self-development and what to do about it.
What may cause the desire to be busy with something useful
Here are the main reasons.
Psychological response to activity
Busy people feelC. K. Hsee, A. X. Yang, L. Wang. Idleness Aversion and the Need for Justifiable Busyness / Psychological Science happier than bored ones. Even simple physical activity bringsN. P. Pronk, A. S. Katz, M. Lowry et al. Reducing Occupational Sitting Time and Improving Worker Health: The Take-a-Stand Project / Preventing Chronic Disease satisfaction. What can we say about the things that we initially consider useful. Therefore, people may deliberately seek new activities to fill their lives with meaning.
Boredom
Because of her, often appearA. Markman. What Is Boredom? / Psychology Today anxiety and negative emotions. It may even seem like life is wasted. Therefore, people often begin to come up with more and more useful tasks so as not to waste time just like that. And then they themselves do not notice how all the days go by in business.
Upbringing
Many parents, wanting to do what is best, want their child to be always busy like a soldier. So from an early age an opinion is formed that any free time should be somehow used, and laziness is harmful. A person can maintain such views for life, and then pass on to their children.
The pressure of social stereotypes
With the development of social networks, the attitude towards success in adults. People often publicly boast about job promotions, expensive purchases, and overseas vacations. As a result, high income often becomes synonymous with happiness for us. And in the pursuit of money, people can torture themselves: work as hard as possible, constantly study and sacrifice rest.
The desire to have time for everything
The desire to do something useful can also be caused by the characteristics of a person's character. For example, the habit of taking everything upon yourself. Because of this, people are responsible for a huge number of tasks that cannot be completed in a reasonable time. As a result, you have to recycle in order to be in time.
Why at least sometimes you need to allow yourself to mess around
Our body and mind must not only work, but also relax.
It has a positive effect on productivity.
Unfortunately, striving to get everything done doesn't make us more productive. A lot does not mean effective. So, after 6 hours of work a day and 40 hours a week, productivity is seriously reduced.J. Pencavel. The Productivity of Working Hours / The Economic Journal. Those who work more than 55 hours a week mayM. Virtanen, A. Singh-Manoux, J. E. Ferrie et al. Long Working Hours and Cognitive Function. The Whitehall II Study / American Journal of Epidemiology deteriorate cognitive ability.
This protects against burnout
The desire to do everything can lead to burnout. This is a special kindJob burnout: How to spot it and take action / Mayo Clinic stress, in which a person experiences physical and mental exhaustion. In this state, more negative thoughts arise, insomnia, problems with alcohol and drugs appear. And even various diseases: from high blood pressure to diabetes.
The most common cause of burnout is work, but any kind of overtime work can also lead to it. For example, Australian doctors considerH. Dinha, L. Strazdinsb, J. Welsh. Hour-glass ceilings: Work-hour thresholds, gendered health inequities / Social Science & Medicinethat women housekeepers should be entitled to a reduced 34-hour work week.
It preserves physical health.
In addition, excessive activity harms the body. For example, those who work more than 55 hours a week are 33% more likely toM. Kivimäki, M. Jokela, S. T. Nyberg et al. Long working hours and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: a systematic review and meta ‑ analysis of published and unpublished data for 603 838 individuals / The Lancet strokes occur and 13% - ischemic disease.
How to overcome the urge to do something useful all the time
Here's what you can do to do this.
Use relaxation techniques
If you understand that the reason for your activity lies in running thoughts, it is worth trying to meditate or do auto-training in order to learn how to stop and rest.
But you can do it easier. Try to find something that relaxes you. For example, massage or fishing. Another option is to go to hikeafter turning off the smartphone and getting rid of other irritants.
Concentrate on the present
Try to focus on your activity, even the most mundane. If you are walking in the park, admire the foliage and enjoy the fresh air. And when you watch TV, note to yourself whether you agree with the presenter's words or not. Try to think about what is happening now, and not about what you think you do not have time to do.
Try to redirect your energy
For example, you can start exercising regularly. So you will not only spend energy, but also improvePhysical Activity / World Health Organization physical and mental well-being. Also, take your mind off negative and disturbing thoughts.
Understand that it is impossible to do everything.
If you can't stop tormenting yourself with fictitious duties, an interesting method suggestsW. Lustbader. Can't Sit Still? You Are Not Alone / Psychology Today psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Washington Wendy Lastbader. She advises to imagine your death. In comparison, daily worries seem insignificant, and endless rush - unnecessary.
Read also🧐
- 5 tricks for maximum productivity
- Obituary about yourself and 5 more non-standard ways to deal with burnout and stress
- How many hours a day can you work so as not to harm your health and not burn out
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