Hurry sickness

In our modern society, life moves pretty fast.  Going to the bank can be instantaneous at the click of a button.  We have faster, more efficient cars so we can get to our destinations quicker.  We can sit in our fast, efficient cars and order fast food.  We can even talk and see people in real time, which may be on the other side of the globe on our mobile phones while waiting for our fast food, while sitting in our fast efficient car.

Being able to do things faster and get things done quickly has led to the pace of life increasing.  As the pace of life has increased, there has also been an increase in stress related illnesses as well, such as coronary heart disease and strokes.

Even though we all have different temperaments, for some people life is a constant rush.  Rushing from one activity to the next, moving from one achievement to the next, always using every minute of the day, cramming as much in as possible into one week.  This style of behaviour often has roots in early childhood where the ‘need to achieve’ and be successful is instilled.  A person with this temperament style could be referred to as possessing, Type A Behaviour.

The difficulty that arises with Type A Behaviour is that it can often lead to problems with stress, ‘hurry sickness’, or even have fatal consequences.

Some of the characteristics of someone with Type A Behaviour are

• Competitiveness:  an overriding need to achieve;
• Hurry Sickness: an intense sense of time urgency;
• Hostility: inappropriate aggression if progress is impeded;
• Joyless striving: always on the go, with many projects at once;
• Inability to relax: difficulty turning off.

Though it may seem that Type A behaviour can mean that a lot is achieved, the down side is that if we constantly are go go go, eventually it takes a toll on our bodies.  

So what can you do if you feel you might be a candidate for Type A behaviour?

• Have a chat to your GP, or a mental health professional
• learn how to relax
• leave work such as reports, at work
• turn off your work mobile phone when you are on week-ends/holidaystry doing one thing at a time
• don’t make and constantly update to-do lists

For further information on ways to manage issues such as Type A behaviour call 1300 364 277 to find your nearest Relationships Australia branch.