The connection between stress, busyness, and mental health
3-minute read
Juggling work and family life is
a constant balancing act. Throw in volunteer commitments and time with friends,
and you might give anything for a calm, quiet spa weekend. Can a constantly
packed schedule affect your mental health? It turns out there are both pros and
cons to busyness and mental health.
Pro: Staying busy is good for your brain
In some circles, staying busy
all the time is a badge of honor — and research has found that some amount of
busyness can be good for your mental health. While you might dream about a life
of leisure with nothing to do, staying active and engaged in happenings around
you may improve cognition, especially if you're
older or retired. Additional research suggests that people with too much spare
time may feel a lack of purpose, and people who have extensive access to
leisure-time activities will progressively feel less enjoyment doing them. While
you might think it'd be great to spend every day doing nothing except golfing
or getting lunch with friends, your brain will likely function better, and
you'll feel happier with other activities in your life that challenge you or
keep you busy.
Con: Staying too busy can lead to burnout
There's a difference between a
busyness that engages your brain and a busyness that feels overwhelming. One survey found 74% of parents with kids
under 18 sometimes felt too busy to enjoy life. Another 11% of all Americans
said the busy pace of their life was harming their health.
Research shows that people who
feel stressed, or like there's not enough time in the day, report poor mental
and physical health. These people report eating unhealthier foods, having signs
of depression, and feeling burnt out or emotionally exhausted.
Additional studies show that people who work long hours — 12 hours a day or 60
hours a week — are significantly more likely to be injured on the job. These
hours are also associated with a higher risk of dying from coronary artery
disease or having a stroke.
Steps to decrease busyness and promote calm
If you're feeling stressed from
all the busyness in your life, you can take steps to mitigate it. While you
probably can't quit your job or stop driving your kids around town to school
and sports, you can find a balance between the good kind of busy and feeling overwhelmed. Trying some of these tips
may help.
- Create space for things you love. Whether it's catching up with friends, finding a hobby, or binging a favorite television show, it's important to spend time on yourself.
- Exercise.
Taking a walk or hitting the gym is a great way to get rid of stress.
- Keep a gratitude
journal. Research has shown that writing down things you're grateful for
every day can improve your mood.
- Meditate. Meditation
can come in many forms, including deep breathing, mindfulness, and prayer.
- Unplug. Mute your notifications and stop checking your work email when you're not on the clock.
Communication with your boss or your
partner is also important. Assess whether your work or home responsibilities
can be delegated in a way that will reduce your stress and don't be afraid to
ask for help.
Talking to someone can help
If you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, or depressed, talking to a mental health professional might be the stress relief you need. There's nothing wrong with admitting you can't do it all. Don't let a sense of obligation to your busyness affect your mental health.
If stress is getting
to you, a Reid Health mental health professional can help. Find a location near you.