Mental Fatigue in the Age of Fast-Paced Life: Why You Should Pause for a Moment?
Have you ever felt like your life forces you to run relentlessly? Technology has pushed us into a fast-paced era, where everything happens in the blink of an eye. Messages can travel halfway around the world in seconds, while food arrives at your doorstep at the touch of a screen. Work and education now move faster and more efficiently thanks to constant digital advancements. On the other hand, technology provides convenience that we have never imagined before. But behind that convenience is a dark side that we rarely realize: widespread mental fatigue. In this age of instant gratification, humans are forced to keep moving, racing at a pace that often exceeds our limits. Everything has to be fast. Everything must be done now. In this rush, we lose one valuable skill that was once highly valued: patience.
Technology, Patience, and “Hurry Sickness”
This phenomenon is known as hurry sickness. The term was first introduced by psychologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman to describe the behavior of someone who always wants to do more in less time.
We feel restless when we have to wait, as if every second that passes is a waste. Patience, once considered a mirror of maturity and mental strength, is now fading away in the fast-paced flow of life.
Not only in the workplace, this loss of patience also affects social relationships. We are used to expecting instant replies when sending messages, quick answers when asking questions, or instant solutions to complex problems. In fact, not everything can be solved in a short time.
There are natural processes that take time-learning, building trust, understanding something deeply-all of which cannot be achieved in a hurry.
This pressure has a serious impact on mental health. A WHO report states that 264 million people in the world are depressed, and the number of anxiety disorders has increased dramatically.
Burnout, or physical and mental exhaustion due to prolonged pressure, is now a global issue. In Indonesia, a study by Urban Mental Health found that 75 percent of office workers experience burnout symptoms due to relentless productivity demands.
Patience is not only lost in the rhythm of work, but also in education. Students are forced to follow a fast-paced learning system that prioritizes results over process.
This pressure makes them lose the space to think, understand and enjoy the learning process.
According to UNICEF, 1 in 3 adolescents in the world experience mental disorders, mostly triggered by unrealistic expectations and fast-paced lifestyle.
When patience is lost, human relationships change. Conversations that once took time and attention are now replaced by short, often meaningless replies.
We no longer listen intently, let alone give responses born out of deep reflection.
In our relationships with family, friends and coworkers, the loss of patience makes it harder to be emotionally present and genuinely connected.
Furthermore, impatience makes us lose meaning in various aspects of life.
Everything is demanded quickly, from work, to problem solving, to achieving life goals. In fact, some things require a long process that is full of meaning.
Patience teaches us to appreciate every small step, to not focus solely on the end result, and to find beauty in the journey.
Rediscovering patience in a fast-paced world
In a world that moves so fast, we need to rediscover patience. Slowing down is not a sign of weakness, but a form of awareness to keep ourselves from mental fatigue.
One simple step is to do a digital detox. Too much time spent in front of a screen will only drain your energy and disturb your inner peace.
Taking a break from our devices, reading a physical book, walking in nature, or talking to our family without the distraction of notifications are simple ways to practice patience and bring moments of calm into our lives.
Mindfulness practices can also help us find a calmer rhythm again.
By being fully present in the present moment - such as savoring a cup of tea unhurriedly or focusing on deep breathing - we can learn to be patient and accept reality for what it is.
Research from the University of Massachusetts suggests that mindfulness can reduce stress by 38 percent, helping to improve mental well-being. More importantly, we need to learn to appreciate the process. Not everything can or should be done quickly.
Cooking by hand, completing work thoughtfully, or enjoying a trip without rushing are small examples that teach us the meaning of patience.
In every process we go through, there are valuable lessons about perseverance, sincerity, and serenity that we will never find in haste.
Patience is not something that is outdated. In fact, in the midst of this fast-paced life, patience is the most valuable form of strength.
In patience, we learn to accept that not everything is under our control, and that every process takes time.
We pause not to give up, but to understand ourselves, reflect, and find peace in life's journey.
In the end, the world may continue to run at an ever-increasing speed. However, we always have the option to slow down.
As the old saying goes, Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo - act decisively, but in a gentle way. Pausing to breathe, think, and savor life is not only an option, but also a necessity.
In that pause, we find meaning. We learn that life is not about who reaches the goal the fastest, but about how we go through each step with full awareness and patience.
Because in the end, patience is the key to maintaining balance, mental health, and peace of mind in a world that is constantly moving.
(Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem M.A., Ph.D.)
This article was published on Kompas.com on December 18, 2024. Read the full article at the followinglink