At some point in our early years, we may have heard someone comfort us by saying, “Keep running and carry on.”; “In the race of life, you must be the fastest”; “You would fall behind if you weren’t up to date.”
They may seem inspiring and empowering, but does it imply we have to continually balance following the latest trends with social pressure and trying to fit in regardless of our own wellbeing and values? We will additionally investigate the ways in which these changes are impacting our mental and physical well-being.
Let’s examine this in more detail later and see whether you or someone you know could relate to this article.
In today’s world, we are always occupied. A never-ending stream of notifications and suggestions keeps us connected to work, social commitments, and limitless information. We live in a fast-paced, digitally driven society that values hustle culture and associates productivity with success. However, in the midst of this chaos, one thing has increased dramatically: anxiousness.
Our multitasking habit and short attention span have resulted in a large number of clients complaining about being forgetful and missing little things. It is of course shocking to observe the age group of 17-28 experiencing memory and attention span issues, causing persistent worrying and panic.
Our multitasking habit and short attention span have resulted in a large number of clients complaining about being forgetful and missing little things. It is of course shocking to observe the age group of 17-28 experiencing memory and attention span issues, causing persistent worrying and panic.
Let’s examine this in more detail later and see whether you or someone you know could relate to this article.
Imagine living a life free from anxiety and fear. Not a single person, object, or action frightens you? Doesn’t that seem crazy?
But does that seem successful if we see it in practice? There would eventually be repercussions from living a life free from worry and fear. Imagine stepping on blazing coal, coming into contact with exposed electrical wire, or leaping from a cliff without fear. The possibilities are endless and could have deadly results.
Anxiety is inherently present. Humans are naturally inclined to worry; it’s how our brains prepare for possible dangers.
But the triggers that were useful to us in the prehistoric past—escape from predators or food foraging—are no longer the same. Instead, our old brains aren’t nearly ready to handle the myriad of stimuli we face today.
Let’s look at how the pressures of today’s lifestyle exacerbate anxiety:
1. Always-On Culture: The Cost of Constant Connectivity
We live in a world where going offline feels like a luxury. Emails, messages, and notifications don’t simply disrupt our workdays; they follow us home, infiltrate family gatherings, and even invade our vacations. The expectation to be approachable at all times keeps our minds on high alert, as if we are always expecting something essential. This constant state of connectivity not only exhausts us but also trains our brain to be hyper-aware and ready to respond to the next demand.
The algorithm game by different social media platforms and various applications has become a clever means to trace our actions and content we consume and feed us with every possible similar information that keeps our brain engaged and at times puzzled by seeing our own Google search and related advertisements everywhere and making us highly invested where we are bound to forget our other important tasks by either delaying it or pushing it away. We might feel that we are enjoying and surfing social media for entertainment, but consuming it way more than a limit can make us feel more lethargic and drained.
Often, seemingly insignificant triggers like emails or social media messages activate our stress response system, which we should ideally reserve for serious crises. This fosters chronic anxiety, making us feel on edge and making us hypervigilant.
2. The need to be more and do more and the era of hustle culture.
Overworking has been glorified as a sign of desire and dedication, and the popular phrases “keep grinding till your day come,” “There is no weekend—keep hustling,” “Grind while they rest” have come to represent success. However, the pressure to rush all the time has a price. A common perception is that one is lagging behind if they are not “on” or creating something concrete. Perhaps it is crucial to understand that while it is important to work on your goals, taking breaks and nourishing your mind and body are equally important. Burnout results from an overemphasis on productivity, and anxiety is frequently a symptom of burnout. When your sense of value is based on your ability to accomplish goals, you will inevitably worry about not meeting them. Because of this fear of not being good enough, many people push themselves harder, which leads to a vicious cycle of stress, fatigue, and crippling anxiety.
3. Work-Life Blur:
The Loss of Boundaries and Quality Time The distinction between personal and professional life has become increasingly hazy with the emergence of the gig economy and remote work. While remote work has its own advantages, many recent findings suggest that it has affected work productivity as well as the sleep schedule.
The lines separating work and leisure have blurred as more individuals work from home. It’s more difficult to fully unplug when your living room serves as your office. It is challenging to relax, refuel, and concentrate on non-job-related facets of life because of this blurring of work and life. When there are no clear boundaries, we bring work-related stress into our personal lives, which exacerbates anxiety and worry even when we should be sleeping.
The following are some typical signs of anxiety brought on by the way people live today:
- Irritability and restlessness: A state of being tense because to ongoing stress.
- Racing thoughts: Having trouble managing anxiety and frequently hopping from one fear to another.
- Fatigue: Prolonged anxiety drains both physical and mental stamina.
- Cognitive Impairment: Chronic stress impairs memory and decision-making, leading to poor focus, forgetfulness, and indecisiveness, Concentrating on tasks is difficult due to cognitive overload.
- Sleep disturbances: People who suffer from chronic anxiety frequently experience insomnia or trouble falling asleep.
- Physical symptoms: Common signs of anxiety include headaches, tense muscles, gastrointestinal problems, and a general feeling of unease.
Managing the stress of everyday life:
Workable Remedies Although the way of life of today may contribute to anxiety, proactive measures can be taken to lessen its effects. We may start to better manage stress and achieve a healthier balance by taking back control of some areas of our lives. The following are some doable tactics for overcoming nervousness in the fast lane: Establish Limits on Technology Setting up appropriate boundaries with technology is one of the best strategies to lessen anxiety.
Try these suggestions:
Establish Tech-Free Times: Decide on certain periods of the day, particularly before bed or during meals, when you will not be using electronics. Turn on your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” mode to prevent continuous interruptions when working on critical chores or unwinding.
Limit Social Media: To avoid anxiety brought on by comparison, spend less time on social media. Think about deleting apps off your phone or limiting their use to specific hours of the day.You can allow your brain to relax and recuperate from the continuous barrage of stimuli by scheduling deliberate pauses from technology.
Give recovery and time off top priority. It’s critical to reframe rest as a crucial component of wellbeing and productivity in a society that exalts work. Make time for rest by: Establishing definite work hours: Regardless of whether you work in an office or from home, set aside particular times for work and adhere to them. After the workday is over, concentrate on rest and alone time.
An effective strategy for controlling anxiety is exercise. Exercise helps burn off extra energy and tension and releases endorphins, which are naturally occurring mood enhancers. Try to engage in things you enjoy, such as: Walking: Even a short stroll outside might help you decompress and let go of tension. Yoga or stretching: Yoga is particularly good at lowering anxiety because it blends deep breathing with physical movement. Cardio or Strength Training: More strenuous exercises might help relieve tension and divert attention from nervous thoughts.
Engage in Mindful Living: Being completely present in the moment without passing judgement is the essence of mindfulness. You may teach your brain to pay attention to the present moment instead of dwelling on regrets from the past or fears about the future by engaging in mindfulness exercises.Here are a few simple methods to apply mindfulness in your day-to-day activities: Mindful Breathing: Set aside some time each day to concentrate only on your breathing, taking deep breaths in and out. Body Scan Meditation: Pay attention to every bodily component, identify any tense spots, and deliberately relax them.
How can therapy help you?
Think of your mind as a messy space. Deadlines, social media, and self-expectations are examples of contemporary concerns that are like strung objects in the room, making it difficult to go around without tripping. You are not able to make time for yourself, and you are always having tons of never-ending lists to do. Despite you wanting to make time for your loved ones or wishing to hit the gym or maybe just plan a small outing, all these activities seem impossible because of the spiral work load.
In therapy, you can pick up an object (an anxious thought or worry), evaluate it, determine whether it’s beneficial or detrimental, and select where to put it. It’s similar to a mental tidying session. For instance, you can learn to identify harmful thought patterns, reframe negative thinking, and manage stress using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based therapy.
Existential scholars like Rollo May and Viktor Frankl have talked about how the meaninglessness of modern existence can create an existential void that exacerbates depressive and anxious sentiments.
Many people find it difficult to find meaning in the daily grind in a society where success is frequently determined by factors like income, popularity, or production. The perpetual hustle and the pursuit of meaning might exacerbate existential distress, which is the belief that one’s existence is ultimately meaningless. With the help of therapy, one can explore their true values and their purpose of life, which can increase their contentment and quality of life.
