Giving Yourself a Break Is Key to Mental Health

Self-reflection and identity creation

In a time when schedules are jam-packed with work and all the other things required to exist in a fast-paced world, our society has grown to become one that values and rewards instant gratification and expediency above all else. We post pictures on social media and get instant approval through likes and comments, creating a popularity contest in cyber space. By clicking a few buttons on a mobile app, we can instantly order food and rides to our doorstep, and send text messages to our friends with the expectation they’ll respond quickly. Clothes shopping no longer requires a visit to a mall; we can order them online and they’ll often show up the next day.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always rushing – after my hour-long commute home, I’m changing clothes and going to the gym, then running errands so I can get back home in time to cook dinner (or pick something up from the store). Before I know it, it’s nearly time to go to bed and start the whole process over again.