Does Being Late Harm Your Health?
First, you couldn't find a thing to wear. Then you just had to check your email one last time before you ran out the door. But when you jumped into your car, low and behold, you remember that your lovely vehicle is running on fumes. Now you're running 20 minutes behind and are stuck at a red light behind dueling senior citizens who can barely see over the wheel. Stress much?
Related: Is Stress Making You Fat?
Being late is horrible. It draws the positive energy right out of each of us through anger, worry, fear and anxiety.
Physical Effects of Excess Stress According to medicinenet.com, the effects that elevated stress can have on our poor little selves range from:
Headaches
Intestinal problems
Sleep disorders
Anxiety
Muscle tension
Poor diet habits
Increased use of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes
Sound terrible? You're catching on, Ms. Smarty Pants. The good news is that you, as the "Stress-ee," have choices when it comes to managing the many things in your life that cause unnecessary stress. Cutting tardiness out of your M.O. is a great start.
The Benefits of Punctuality Take some tips from Diana DeLonzor, author of Never Be Late Again, so you can quit being such a stress machine:
Get to the root of the problem. Figure out the root cause behind why you're always late - an ABC News report broke the "why" down into four types of people who are always late. Which one are you?
A. Rationalizer Type - it's always someone or something else's fault
B. Absent Minded Professor - You're forgetful, scattered and disorganized
C. Deadline/Producer Type - You get a psychological zing or adrenaline rush out of having a jam-packed schedule
D. Rebel Type - you get a self-induced high out of defying authority and you feel important when you know people are waiting for you.
Decide you want to change. Notice the effects on family, friends and colleagues. Stop making excuses and commit to fixing the problem.
Verbally announce you're trying to change. It's kinda like AA, honey. The first step is admitting it. Ask friends and family to help you but be ready for them to be cynical. Let them have their feelings and show them you're serious by actually doing it.
Clock yourself and keep a journal. Log how long it really takes to dry your hair or get the kids to school. Get the facts and embrace the truth so that you can plan realistically and set yourself up for success.
Time tasks. Setting a timer for tasks like laundry, taking a shower and talking on the phone can help keep you on track (not to mention save water and electricity).
Be early … no excuses. If the idea of sitting around with nothing to do makes you crazy, bring something you can read, do or text while you wait. Make a list when you wake up of the quick things you need to do that day like pay a bill over the phone, schedule a date with the plumber or wish Gramps a Happy Birthday.
Schedule a 15-minute time cushion before and after commitments. Cramming too much into one day doesn't allow for the unexpected. Spread your commitments out over the week. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Better never than late.
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