It’s no secret that human life is too short on the grand scale of things, and with a planet that’s almost 4.6 billion years old, we’re going to be around for what’s practically a fraction of its lifespan.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should let life slip by without taking the reins in your hands and making the most of it, and with all the technological advancements we have today, that’s been made into quite the easy task.
That’s not to say that it won’t take effort on your part, but if you lean on technology and your own abilities, you’ll soon notice that you had way more time than you may have initially thought.
Things got even faster when we entered the information age, and now you can have your groceries delivered to your door automatically at the start of every week, without even having to make a list on your own.
Despite all of this extra help we get, most of us still feel like time slips by in a flash, and it’s a common feeling most will describe as a global “time famine“.
Keep on reading and learn more about how you could add an extra hour or two to your day.
Work out your priorities
If you sit back and give everything a thorough examination, you may find that you’re not spending your time responsibly or accordingly.
This is reflected in the fact that thousands of people claim they wish to spend time with their family and loved ones, but once they’re together, everyone’s staring down at the phone in their palms, ignoring their responsibilities as spouses, mothers, and fathers.
In fact, we spend so much time looking at the bright LED screen we carry around everywhere that we’ve practically forgotten how important face time actually is.
And we’re not talking about face-time on camera, but rather, some actual, in-person communication.
Almost 80% of us check our phone first thing in the morning, before brushing our teeth, having breakfast, and even hugging our kids before they head off to school, and those numbers are devastating for a society as advanced as ours.
De-stress from time to time
There’s no reason the weekend should be the only time you get to relax, as there’s plenty of time to do so mid-week as well.
Some experts even argue that working through lunch is highly detrimental to our physical and emotional health, and not taking breaks to cool down and relax only reduces productivity later on in the day.
Instead, what we should be doing is taking regular breaks, perhaps even naps throughout the day to help the body regenerate strength and tackle any oncoming challenges head-on.
Doing this may also help increase your productivity as well as your awareness, and if your employer begins seeing the quality of work improving, it may even show up on your paycheck as well.
Of course, this doesn’t imply that you should laze off at every chance you get, as that can easily turn into a bad habit, one that’s far worse to get rid of than just being a workaholic.
Regular sleep schedule
Sleeping 8-9 hours a day is crucial for a healthy body and mind, but in this fast-paced society and work environment, most of us don’t get the chance to get some quality shut-eye.
Research has proven that sleep-deprived people tend to accomplish less in a single day, and this effect can pile on infinitely, with lower productivity leading to more work left for later, leading to working long hours, leading to even less sleep.
Energy is the main factor when it comes to performing better at work, and what better way to regain it than a solid 8-hour-long rest.
Essentially, if you’re looking to get more work done as well as improve your productivity, sleeping a bit more may just be the solution you need.
Quality sleep is just as important as regular sleep, so make sure that the environment you’re sleeping in is comfy and won’t lead to you waking up several times throughout the night.
Exercise
If you’re past the age of 40, chances are you’ve probably already given up on some early-morning calisthenics at least a decade ago.
You’re not alone, and keeping up with family and work does become taxing, especially if we’ve got a tight schedule to work with.
Less important activities such as hobbies and working out quickly become forgotten, and even though you may no longer be able to get that chiseled look you were gunning for in your early 20s, you can still try to look your best.
On top of improving your overall image, some exercise early in the morning can give you a boost that’ll keep you going for the first couple of hours of the day.
Additionally, it’s got a number of benefits for your mind and body, and if it becomes a regular thing, you may soon notice signs of morning fatigue and pains going away.
Give some of your time to others
Finally, the most effective way you can stop feeling like you’re pressed with time is to actually devote it to others, whether it’s family or friends.
Volunteering and doing a good deed every now and then can have a positive effect on our sense of time, as it helps us focus on others, rather than ourselves.
This may lead to a boost in competence and efficiency in other spheres of our life, like spending time with family or putting in an honest day’s work.
Naturally, you’d prioritize family over some random person on the street, but if you let yourself help others in need, the universe may just conspire in bringing someone into your life to help you in a time of need.
A selfless approach to life may sound difficult to manage, but it’s an extremely rewarding one, at least in the long run, as you’ll learn that there’s more to life than just chasing after money and a career.