A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder examined the relationship between time management and mental health among 646 college students. Published in the Journal of American College Health, the research found that students with busier schedules experienced lower rates of depression and achieved better academic results.
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The study's first author, Caitlin McKimmy, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, emphasized that it is not merely the amount of time available that impacts mental well-being, but how individuals perceive that time. Those who felt a constant sense of being rushed reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, demonstrating that subjective feelings about time, known as "time pressure," play a significant role in mental health outcomes.
McKimmy distinguished between two concepts in the study: "time pressure," which refers to the feeling of being rushed, and "time scarcity," the actual lack of free hours. Participants provided data on how they spent their time in classes, work, and other obligations, alongside their mental health status and levels of mindfulness—the ability to remain present in the moment.
The findings indicated that a sense of time scarcity correlated with improved grades and decreased depression rates. Conversely, heightened time pressure was linked to increased anxiety, depression, and lower academic performance. Interestingly, individuals with busy schedules could report low levels of time pressure if they had a positive relationship with their time management.
McKimmy pointed out that the data suggest that being busy does not inherently lead to increased happiness. Instead, it may be that mentally healthier individuals seek more activities, while those coping with low mood might limit their engagements. This raises the question of whether the common belief that less is more in terms of time and commitments always holds true.
The research challenges the notion that students should shy away from added responsibilities like part-time jobs, suggesting that such engagements may not detrimentally affect academic performance or mental health. Furthermore, withdrawing from social opportunities during stressful periods could lead to monotony and loneliness, potentially exacerbating feelings of time scarcity and emotional distress.
McKimmy concluded that while the quantity of time available in a week is fixed, individuals have the ability to reshape how they perceive and experience that time.