Solutions for Time Crunched Canadians
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A study by the Canadian Index of Well Being reveals that Canadians are increasingly time crunched and are under constant stress. Here is what the study found:
- 25% of Canadians are working around the clock
- 20% of Canadians are experiencing high levels of ‘time crunch’ up from 16.4% in 1992
- 1 in 4 cares for an elderly parent
- 1 in 5 is responsible for both a child and senior
- The average portion of total time that Canadians spent on social leisure activities dropped to 12% from 15% in 1998.
(Roy J. Romanow Time-crunched: Canadians are taking less time for activities that refresh the body and mind … and that is a problem for the whole society, Canadian Index of Wellbeing, June 22, 2010)
Since the study didn’t offer suggestions to help individuals, we thought we’d share some easy to implement ideas for time crunched individuals:
- Meditate It’s easier than you think and it’s a great way to relax and focus on the present moment than your ever expanding ’To Do’ list. You can read about meditations’ other benefits in our The Amazing Benefits of Meditation post. The simplest way to meditate is with a guided meditation; all you need to do is listen and relax. Try our 3 minutes Guided Meditation for time crunched individuals.
- Combine activities Start spending time with your family and friends doing the things you need and want to do. Combine family time with some physical activity by throwing around a baseball or going for a bike ride. Catch up with a friend during a walk, game of tennis or a swim. You might even want to do some of your ‘To Do’ activities with a friend like some errands (e.g. grocery or clothes shopping) or even attending your kid’s activities. Be creative because spending time with the people you love and care for is a great way to recharge your batteries especially when you are feeling particularly time starved.
- Breathe Focusing on your breath is one of the best ways to reverse the stress response that often accompanies a lack of time. As you breathe, make sure your abdomen fills up like a balloon when you inhale and sinks in when you exhale. Very quickly you will feel more relaxed and able to better deal with your challenging schedule.
If you’d like additional ideas for managing your stress, check out our Stress Busters in 5 Minutes or Less eBook
