There are points throughout most weeks where we feel like there’s not enough time in a day. Whether a lack of time is jeopardising the completion of work tasks, or encroaching on opportunities to see friends and family, the lack of hours can impact us in various ways.
However, when a busy day turns into a busy month or more, chronic time pressures can have a much more serious effect on our lives. For example, stats from 2023 implied that nearly 80% of Europeans attributed the fact that they were not fulfilling their potential at work to lack of time (and productivity). A lack of time is also associated with reduced life satisfaction. In addition, time-poor individuals are at a greater risk of health problems, as they have fewer opportunities for sleep and other self-care activities.
Interestingly, the research shows that a balance is key. Too much free time might be almost as bad as not enough, with authors reporting that wellbeing increases with free time, but only up until a limit. From there, excess free time was not linked with any greater happiness. It seems that a very quiet life is actually associated with a lack of purpose and fulfilment.
In order to establish a good balance, we often talk about time management. This concept suggests that we can manage how we spend our time, allocating hours or days to specific tasks. The literature has found a direct and positive correlation between time management and wellbeing, especially life satisfaction.
While this can apply to any area of our lives, it is most often utilised in a work setting – although not many of us do it well. It has been estimated that less than 18% of working people in the UK have a proper time management system and more than 80% don’t have one at all.
So, what can you do to better manage your time and protect your wellbeing?
Goal-setting, planning, prioritising, and scheduling are all crucial. Research has found these steps reduce stress, burnout, anxiety, and procrastination, while also increasing engagement, persistence, self-efficacy, and performance. Next time you feel the stress levels rising, or the chaos beginning to take over, take a minute. Write down your tasks and your objectives for each, and put them in order of importance. Allocate time to get each done and go from there.
Easy said than done? Yes, but organising the workload or the life admin and breaking it down into more manageable chunks can make it feel far less daunting. Don’t be the White Rabbit.
> Since you’re here, why not read about the link between low red fruit intake and gum disease risk?
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