3 Ways To Fight ‘Time Sickness’—By A Psychologist

Forbes - Feb 3rd, 2025
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The concept of 'time sickness,' introduced by Dr. Larry Dossey in 1982, describes the distress felt from the constant belief that time is slipping away and the inability to accomplish enough. This condition, exacerbated by modern life's pressures, leads to guilt, exhaustion, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. To combat this, experts suggest changing one's relationship with time, managing attention rather than just time, and slowing down to savor the present. These strategies help shift focus from cramming more into each day to prioritizing meaningful activities and reducing stress.

The implications of tackling time sickness are significant for improving overall psychological health and life satisfaction. Studies have shown that mindfulness and savoring the present can boost positive emotions and reduce depressive symptoms. By managing distractions and choosing a personal rhythm, individuals can achieve a sense of time affluence, where there is enough mental space to appreciate life. This approach challenges the relentless pace of modern life, offering a path to more fulfilling and balanced living.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

Overall, the article provides valuable insights into managing time sickness through psychological strategies, making it relevant and engaging for readers interested in improving their time management and mental health. The content is clear and accessible, with practical advice that can be applied to daily life.

However, the article's accuracy and source quality could be improved by providing direct citations and more detailed references to the studies and experts mentioned. This would enhance the reliability of the information presented and allow readers to verify the claims independently.

While the article effectively addresses individual strategies, it lacks balance by not considering broader societal or systemic factors that contribute to time-related stress. Including diverse perspectives and acknowledging potential criticisms would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Despite these limitations, the article successfully addresses a topic of significant public interest and has the potential to influence individual behaviors, making it a valuable resource for readers seeking to manage their time more effectively.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that are largely accurate but require verification for complete certainty. The term "time sickness" is attributed to Dr. Larry Dossey, which is correct, as he introduced it in his 1982 book. However, the article's interpretation of its symptoms and consequences, such as guilt and exhaustion, although plausible, would benefit from more empirical support, as these are complex psychological states.

The article references a 2022 review on stress and burnout, claiming a 74% burnout rate in high-pressure environments, which aligns with general findings in occupational stress literature. However, the specific study's details are not provided, which limits the ability to verify this statistic directly. The concept of "attention residue" from Dr. Sophie Leroy's 2018 study is accurately described, but again, the article would be strengthened by directly citing the study.

The findings from a 2017 study on mindfulness are presented accurately, indicating that mindfulness and savoring can enhance positive emotions and life satisfaction. Yet, the absence of direct citations to these studies makes it difficult to fully assess the precision of these claims. Overall, while the article's claims are grounded in existing psychological research, they would benefit from more explicit source references to enhance verifiability.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a single perspective on managing time sickness, focusing on psychological strategies to address the issue. While it provides a coherent narrative on improving one's relationship with time, it lacks a balanced view by not considering alternative approaches or potential criticisms of the methods discussed.

The focus is heavily on individual responsibility and psychological insights, without addressing broader societal or systemic factors that contribute to time-related stress. This omission could lead to an imbalanced understanding of the issue, as it places the burden of change solely on the individual.

Including diverse viewpoints, such as societal influences on time perception or organizational changes to reduce time pressure, would offer a more comprehensive and balanced perspective. The article could also benefit from discussing potential limitations or criticisms of the strategies it advocates, such as the practicality of mindfulness practices in different life contexts.

8
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and accessible manner, making complex psychological concepts understandable to a general audience. The language is straightforward, and the structure is logical, with each section building upon the previous one to provide a cohesive narrative.

The use of subheadings, such as "Change Your Relationship With Time" and "Manage Your Attention, Not Just Your Time," helps to organize the content and guide readers through the different strategies discussed. This enhances the article's readability and ensures that key points are easily identifiable.

However, while the article is generally clear, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of certain concepts, such as "attention residue" and "time affluence," to ensure that all readers fully understand these terms. Additionally, providing real-world examples or case studies could further clarify how the strategies discussed can be applied in everyday life.

5
Source quality

The article references credible sources, such as Dr. Larry Dossey and Dr. Sophie Leroy, both recognized figures in their respective fields. However, it lacks direct citations or links to these sources, which diminishes the reliability of the information presented.

While the article mentions studies to support its claims, the absence of specific study details, such as authors, publication names, or direct quotes, makes it challenging to assess the authority and credibility of these sources. This lack of transparency in sourcing weakens the overall source quality.

Providing more explicit references or links to the studies and experts mentioned would enhance the article's credibility. Additionally, including a broader range of sources, such as interviews with other experts or references to additional research, would improve the depth and reliability of the content.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in several areas, particularly in its sourcing and methodological explanations. While it references studies and experts, it does not provide direct citations or detailed information about these sources, making it difficult for readers to verify the claims independently.

The article also does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the presentation of information. For example, it does not clarify whether the psychological strategies suggested are universally applicable or if they are more suited to particular demographics.

Improving transparency would involve providing clear citations for all studies and experts mentioned, as well as explaining the methodology behind the research discussed. Additionally, acknowledging any potential biases or limitations of the strategies proposed would offer a more honest and open presentation of the information.

Sources

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/time-blindness
  2. https://facilethings.com/blog/en/time-sickness
  3. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/always-in-a-rush-maybe-its-time-urgency
  4. https://people.bu.edu/wwildman/smh/reviews/review_dossey01.htm
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14639088/