Will More Free Time Bring You Joy?

A CEO of a business sits at the top. They manage multiple agendas, levels, and positions while making sure everything continues to run smoothly. They’re also responsible for when things don’t. Although CEOs typically have a surplus of resources to assist them in their work, they lack free time. No one can add hours to the day.

Managing a household can be seen as a similarly demanding (and important) job. And if you’re doing both? It can feel impossible to balance.

Since we can’t lengthen the day or duplicate ourselves, where we allocate our time is key to not only our success, but to our happiness as well.

Even if you’re not a global company’s CEO, many individuals, mostly women, go from working in the office to working at home with barely a coffee-break in between. After paperwork and meetings turn into driving the kids to sports practices and cooking dinner, special projects, hobbies, and self-care time can slip by the wayside.

[Related: Case Study: How One Mom Got Back Her Time]

More Time = More Happiness

Will more free time bring you joy?  Researchers say YES! 

The problem is that successful professionals do not have enough free time to run a household and do what they love.  For instance, the average CEO works 62.5 hrs+ (2018) and 79% of weekends. There is even a greater impact to women, who go home to “second shift” often taking a greater share of the burden of childcare and running a household. 

It may seem obvious, but more time typically equals more happiness. Those that feel stressed and time-pressed often have more anxiety and less overall life satisfaction than those who don’t think of time as a constant obstacle. 

It’s official, and studies such as “Buying Time Promotes Happiness” in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences show the proof. Researchers found that those who outsourced their tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and household management had significantly increased satisfaction on a 10 point scale. Another study from 2019 showed that people with more free time are actually healthier and even more productive.

Time-saving investments such as food delivery, taking a Lyft or Uber instead of the bus, or hiring a house cleaner can put you back in the driver’s seat and help you regain time, and thus regain control over the various components of your life. The more in control you feel? The happier you’ll feel.

[Related: Compassion Fatigue and How To Ease the Symptoms]

Outsource Your Tasks

Give yourself some time back by outsourcing tasks. Even if you think you can handle everything on your (ever-growing) to-do list, you most likely won’t have enough time left to spend with your loved ones, or on yourself. 

By hiring a personal assistant to take care of things like grocery shopping, meal planning and prepping, pet care, bill paying, and other tasks, you can rest easy and avoid burnout. This extra time can be key to your wellbeing.

Prioritize Quality Time

Once you do have some time back in the day, make it count. Don’t use it as an excuse to add even more work-related tasks to your plate. Spend time doing fun activities with your family, or simply enjoying each other’s company. Creating these memories will make every penny you spend on outsourcing tasks worth it.

[Related: The Pepper’s Way]

Make Room for Self-Care

Don’t forget about yourself along the way. Oftentimes we get so caught up with pleasing other people that we tend to leave ourselves behind. Taking time to recharge and practice self-care is essential, for your own health and happiness and so that you can be the best version of yourself to the people around you. 

Use your extra time to meditate, practice yoga, or take a long walk. You can even pamper yourself by getting your nails done, going to a spa, or taking yourself out to lunch. It’s amazing how good it can feel to have someone take care of you for a change—and you deserve it!

[Related: Why Choose Pepper’s?]

Contact Pepper’s Personal Assistants Today!

Pepper’s Personal Assistants is ready to help you regain your time and increase your happiness. Our personal assistants offer long-term, recurring household support in the Puget Sound Area. Interested? Contact us today to get started.

Featured image via Unsplash