Understanding Hurry Sickness — Symptoms, Causes, and How to Overcome It

Have you ever found yourself constantly rushing like the people in the image above? Rushing from one task to another, feeling anxious and overwhelmed by an incessant sense of urgency? If so, you might be experiencing what’s known as “hurry sickness.” In this post, we’ll explore what hurry sickness is, its symptoms, causes, and what you can do to overcome it.

What is Hurry Sickness?

Hurry sickness is a behavior pattern characterized by a continual sense of rushing and anxiousness, an overwhelming and constant sense of urgency. It’s the feeling of being perpetually behind schedule, always needing to move on to the next task, and never feeling like you have enough time to get everything done.

Symptoms of Hurry Sickness

Hurry sickness can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

- Always feeling rushed, even when there’s no particular reason to be.
- Difficulty relaxing or slowing down, even during leisure time.
- Constantly checking the time and feeling anxious about deadlines or schedules.
- Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious most of the time.
- Difficulty focusing or being present in the moment due to racing thoughts.
- Frequently multitasking and feeling like you never have enough time to complete tasks.
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle tension.

Causes of Hurry Sickness

There are many potential causes of hurry sickness, including:

1. Technology: The constant availability of emails, texts, and social media notifications can contribute to feelings of urgency and make it difficult to disconnect from work or other obligations.
2. Work culture: Many workplaces prioritize productivity and efficiency over self-care, which can lead to a culture of constantly being “on” and never fully disconnecting from work.
3. Perfectionism: The belief that everything must be done perfectly or that there’s no time for mistakes can contribute to feelings of urgency and a need to constantly be working.
4. Overcommitment: Taking on too many responsibilities or obligations can lead to a feeling of being constantly overwhelmed and rushed.
5. Cultural norms: In some cultures, there’s a societal expectation to be busy and productive at all times, which can contribute to feelings of urgency and a sense of not having enough time.

My Personal Experience with Hurry Sickness

As a very organized and punctual person, I always felt like I had to plan everything down to the last detail to make sure I could get everything done. However, despite my meticulous planning, I often found myself struggling with hurry sickness. I would constantly check my schedule and to-do list, feeling anxious about upcoming deadlines and obligations. It felt like there was never a moment to relax or take a break.

Overcoming Hurry Sickness (I’m still trying…)

I realized that I needed to make a change when I noticed that my over-planning was actually contributing to my feelings of urgency and anxiety. So, I decided to stop over-planning and trying to control every little detail. Instead, I began to focus on prioritizing tasks and creating a more flexible schedule that allowed for breaks and self-care.

It’s important to note that being organized and planning ahead can be helpful in managing our time and reducing stress. However, when we become overly focused on planning every detail and completing tasks far in advance, it can contribute to feelings of hurry and urgency. This can be especially true for those of us who are perfectionists or who have a strong desire to always be ahead of schedule.

Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help overcome hurry sickness, including:

1. Mindfulness practices: Cultivating mindfulness through meditation, breathing exercises, or other practices can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and cultivate a sense of calm and presence.
2. Time management: Implementing effective time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks, breaking down large projects into smaller ones, and creating a schedule that includes time for self-care and rest, can help reduce feelings of urgency
3. Self-compassion: Being kind and compassionate toward yourself can help reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm and allow you to approach tasks with a more positive mindset.
4. Gratitude practices: Cultivating a sense of gratitude for what you have in the present moment can help shift your focus away from feelings of urgency and stress.
5. Seeking support: Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can provide a sense of validation and support. Seeking the help of a mental health professional can also be beneficial.

Final Thoughts.

In my own journey to overcome hurry sickness, I’ve come to realize the importance of taking a step back and re-evaluating my priorities. As someone who’s always been organized and punctual, I found myself feeling rushed and anxious even when there was no real reason to be. I soon realized that overplanning and overcommitting myself to tasks and obligations were contributing to these feelings.

It’s important to remember that overcoming hurry sickness is not an overnight process. It takes time, effort, and self-compassion. But with practice, we can learn to find a healthy balance between being productive and taking care of ourselves. I encourage anyone who’s struggling with hurry sickness to take a step back, evaluate your priorities, and implement small changes to your routine. Remember, it’s okay to slow down and take things at your own pace.