Many people are naturally driven, to the point where they feel they’re somehow not living up to their full potential unless their schedules are packed. Keep reading to learn some indicators that you’re trying to do too much with the time you have, and why it’s worthwhile to try and change your ways.
1. You’re Short Tempered
Have you started to recognize that the way you react to things is not appropriate for the situation? For example, maybe you yelled at a restaurant hostess last night after she informed you that the table you reserved isn’t quite ready yet because the previous guests lingered longer than expected. A short temper may indicate you’re overly stressed in general, largely because of trying to pile on too many responsibilities simultaneously.
2. You Have Trouble Sleeping
If your mind is always racing about the things you could be doing as you attempt to drift off into dreamland, that’s another sign you need to cut back. Other physical symptoms that you’re possibly overworked include an upset stomach or an overall jittery feeling. Some people who try to do too much become very dependent on caffeine to keep them going. If that sounds like you, be very careful not to consume caffeine close to bedtime. It can keep you revved up for hours.
3. You Feel Tense All The Time
Many people harbor excess tension in places like their neck and shoulders when trying to cope with stress. A massage can work wonders for taming tension from time to time, but for a more long-term solution consider doing activities like yoga and meditation, in addition to reducing your workload.
4. You’re No Longer As Sociable As You Used To Be
Perhaps you constantly feel compelled to stay tethered to your desk chair, always working on the next deadline, and you’ve almost completely sacrificed spending time with the people who matter most to you. It’s crucial to have a balance. Initially, you may feel a little guilty for adjusting your schedule so it’s more prioritized, but taking that step can really pay off.
5. You Get Sick More Often
If you’re overextending yourself, there’s more of a chance you’ll come down with colds, the flu and other ailments. That’s because your immune system gets weaker, making you less able to avoid sicknesses that you might otherwise have been able to steer clear from.
Why Scheduling Too Much is Unhealthy
Some people truly love to be busy. Maybe you’re one of them, but there’s a fine line between being busy and being so swamped you can hardly cope. Once you get to that latter end of the spectrum, you may stop enjoying things that used to bring you great pleasure. Over time, that can lead to severe depression. Also, if you’re scheduling so much that your stress level is off the charts, that can put you at risk for problems ranging from high blood pressure to heart trouble.
It’s also important to try and target whether there are any emotional factors that might be feeding your urge to include so much in your schedule. Is there perhaps an unmet emotional need you believe could be fulfilled by staying on the go? If that might be the case, it’s useful to talk to a counselor so he or she can suggest healthy strategies for helping your feel content but not always occupied.
Perhaps it’s now clear that you need to do some serious soul searching while adjusting your schedule so it’s less intense. Even if that’s true, be kind to yourself. Making changes to your lifestyle requires a process, but it’s very worthwhile if you stick to it.
