How to deal with a constant urge to do something useful

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

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.

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 feel happier than bored people. Even simple physical activity is satisfying. 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

It often causes 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 among adults is changing. 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 do everything does not 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. Those who work more than 55 hours a week may have cognitive impairment.

This protects against burnout

The desire to keep up with everything can lead to burnout. This is a special type of 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 health professionals believe that women who run a household should be entitled to a 34-hour shorter 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 to have strokes and 13% more coronary diseases.

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 camping after turning off your 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 improve your 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 is offered by psychologist and associate professor at the University of Washington, Wendy Lastbader. She advises to imagine your death. In comparison, daily worries seem insignificant, and endless rush - unnecessary.