In this blog, I share insights from the Dutch book Tijd tekort/tijd genoeg by Margriet Sitskoorn, a neuropsychologist and professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, which explores the concept of time perception.
The book shows that time poverty, the feeling that you’re always short on time, has profound effects on our well-being.
– Time poverty affects everything, from your health to your relationships. It is directly linked to headaches, stress, insomnia, and burnout. There is even an increased risk of divorce. Chronic time poverty increases the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.
– People make unhealthy choices due to time poverty. Think of opting for ready-made meals, postponing doctor’s appointments, or spending too little time exercising.
– Time poverty is a subjective feeling. It’s not just about having too little time, but mainly about how you perceive time. People who live according to clock time, where the day is strictly planned and divided by the hours on the clock, often experience more time pressure. This contrasts with those who organize their time based on events (event time).
– Dual-income households, working parents, and managers experience the highest levels of time pressure.
– Unfortunately, the book does not discuss the impact of digital tools, especially smartphones. The constant stream of notifications and the social pressure to always be available accelerates the feeling that we no longer have moments of rest. In my own research, I see a clear relationship between excessive smartphone use and stress.
What can we do about it?
1. Value time over money. Research shows that people are happier from experiences and social interactions than from material possessions. Shift your focus from money to time, and spend time on what truly matters.
2. Buy time where possible. Spend money on outsourcing time-consuming tasks, such as hiring household help or using grocery delivery services. This gives you more time for what is important and reduces your stress.
3. Be generous with your time for others. Spending time on others reduces your own sense of time pressure. It gives you a greater sense of control over your time and enhances your well-being.
Since a part of the time poverty people experience is caused by work, it is valuable for organizations to address this.
Here are a few tips for organizations:
– Reconsider hours filled with habitual activities, such as standard meetings, that serve no clear purpose.
– Allow people to manage their own time.
– Try to avoid multitasking and distractions.