Can being early help us live healthier lives?
I’ve always been overly optimistic about what I could accomplish in a time frame. If I had 30 minutes and was going to the office, I thought I could run by the cleaners, the bank, and get a Starbucks and still get there in time. I would leave no room to spare.
The same thing went for plane trips. It was almost an adrenaline rush to see how much I could maximize the minutes left to spare before boarding. I never realized the toll it took on others or myself. I was always amped up. It was a form of addiction, for sure. It was a contest to see if I could be the last person on the plane, rushing and running to the gate as they called the “last call for passenger Cooper”!
Far too often, I missed the plane! I mean, who does that?
When I was burning the candle at both ends and living life at full throttle with no time to spare, a few friends pulled me aside to voice their concerns. One friend told me that if I wanted to reduce my anxiety, I needed to stamp out indecision. Another was a bit more direct – he said, “quit being an a$$h%le!” He also pointed out that I needed to consider giving people “the gift of my time.”
I began to make small changes. I would try and be five minutes early for a meeting to help set up or just have some time to say hello and find out how folks were doing. I began to factor in extra time in my day between appointments so I wasn’t always in a hurry. This has made a huge difference. I have less anxiety (yes, less excitement, too!) and time to connect with people in ways I didn’t when chasing my tail.
Is Being on Time Good For Your Health?
My question is: Can being early help us live healthier lives? We know that reducing stress can only be good for us. Constant fight or flight isn’t good for anxiety levels or stress hormones. Being early or on time can make a difference in our health and personal relationships. Being available because you are not rushing from pillar to post means one can invest more time in being present. I am starting to understand that giving time to others and yourself comes with many benefits.
Being more time-conscious eases the pressure. I am a work in progress; I don’t always get it right. I’m just grateful that I’m striving to be better at managing my time. I don’t regret living like a bat out of hell for 45 years because I’m good at it, and I still have that trick in my toolbox. But having time on my side is sure an easier way to live.
How are you managing your time so that life isn’t one big rush? I’d love to have your thoughts.
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