Hurry sickness: a hidden threat to mental and physical health

Hurry sickness is a state of constant anxiety in wanting to complete tasks and commitments in the shortest time possible at any cost: let's see the symptoms and how to resolve it

It may not be recognized medically, but hurry sickness has become a kind of pandemic because of the simple fact that it affects managers and other high-responsibility professionals. It is the name given to a permanent state of anxiety, with an uncontrollable urge to hurry through the activities and commitments, often for no real need.

This concept was originally identified by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, who, in their book Type A Behavior and Your Heart, showed that individuals suffering from hurry sickness push themselves to be more productive in less time.

Especially, it is a prevalent condition in Western society, with efficiency and effectiveness being at the helm. It only leads to a continued sense of stress and haste, which may be harmful to the body and mind.

Symptoms and how to minimize its impact

Insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and a constant feeling that there’s never enough time are the major symptoms of hurry sickness. Such people often use multitasking-very wrongly assuming that this enhances efficiency. As a matter of fact, multitasking can reduce the quality of work because the human brain is not designed to pay attention to more than one task at a time. Far from enhancing effectiveness, it may result in frustration and fatigue.

Beyond the psychological influences, hurry sickness can eventually sap physical health, as well. Sleep deprivation and chronic tension may promote immune breakdown and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2003 research study investigated that impatience and hurry appear to significantly heighten high blood pressure through personality traits.

But how does one penetrate this ever-narrowing circle? Clearly, effective time and stress management strategies are called for. Of the many useful practices, those involving mindfulness and self-care stand out. Taking the time to breathe deeply, to slow down, and reflect on what really matters, can make a day more manageable.

Besides that, setting clear boundaries and learning to say “no” will avoid overload. Hurry sickness can deeply affect the quality of life, but recognizing the signs and measures for slowing down improve the quality of life and create a more sustainable work-life balance.