5 to 9 Pressure: How to Reduce Stress While Off the Clock
By: Emily Beck
Make the most of your free time! Live your best life! You work 9 to 5, so what are you going to do with your 5 to 9? On the surface, this sounds like great advice! Who wouldn’t want to make the most of their free time and live their best life? However, when you look a little deeper, this kind of narrative can be dangerous and create unrealistic expectations. What happens if you just don’t feel like doing something after work? What if you’re sick? Or have other obligations? What if you’re depressed? What does it even mean to “Live your best life”?
The idea of making the most of your time can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Social media only serves to worsen this, as any social media feed is bound to be full of people “living their best life”. In reality, these posts are only the highlights, and do not show someone lounging in bed in their sweats after work, or eating over the sink so as not to dirty another plate. These posts do not depict the nights when someone might want to make plans, but might not have someone to call. Or the nights when someone has to attend an after school recital for their child, take their child to an appointment, or sit at the table trying to do homework with a frustrated child.
So, what can you do to fight this pressure?
Plan for time to do nothing - While this may not work for everyone, some people really benefit from having time to just exist. No plans, no events, no household chores, just existing. This can help you recharge your batteries for when you do have time to engage in activities.
Plan for fun - When you have things to look forward to, the times when you are busy with obligations can feel more tolerable. It helps to also understand that you do not have to be maximizing fun for 100% of the time that you are not at work or school.
Mindfulness - Sometimes being very intentional about a few minutes can make you feel so much better. If you engage in mindfulness for even 5-10 minutes, grounding yourself, meditating, or even eating something without distraction, you may enjoy your free time even more, because the time feels intentional.
Sleep - The more rested you are, the more you can enjoy your time, be it before, during, or after work. Focus on good sleep hygiene- sufficient hours of sleep, a regular schedule, wind-down time, and not looking at your phone, computer, or iPad right before you fall asleep will all help you feel more rested.
Therapy - Having someone to talk to can help you to feel more balanced and comfortable in your schedule.
Try not to compare - Others will tell you about the highlights of their evenings or weekends, not the time they spend lying around. Remembering this can reduce feelings of jealousy and feeling like you have to plan for every waking moment.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that your time is your time. If you want to spend your time with social activities, classes, and meals out, do it! If you want to spend your time at home on the couch, do it! The less you focus on judging yourself, the easier it will be to accept yourself where you are, and not feel pressure to “make the most out of your time” with someone else’s agenda.
Struggling to manage your time appropriately or feeling a lot of pressure and anxiety? Give us a call today at 217-203-2008 and start promoting peace from within.
References
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/sleep-hygiene-simple-practices-for-better-rest