The "New" Leisure Time

By most accounts Americans feel more harried than ever. According to a U. of Maryland study, we actually have more leisure time now than ever before. But downtime usually comes in small chunks during the week, so it’s hard to kick back. We’re very busy trying to do too many small tasks at once. All of which leads to "timesickness".

A few simple steps, taken one at a time can help everyone relax and feel refreshed, at least now and then.

• Do you get scattered when you have a lot to do, like working on one chore while planning the next or worrying about what you’re not getting done? To pull yourself together, stay intently focused on the task at hand.

• Do you stay stuck in high gear, adopting the tempos of the people and machines around you? Look for someone moving at a slower pace and mimic that rhythm. Soothing music is a great guide, as are pets or an easy going companion.

Source: Japenga, A. (1999 Spring). A cure for timesickness. Health Diary, 24