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  • Annanya Venkat
    • Nov 2, 2023
    • 3 min read

Avoiding Situations by Being "Too Busy"

We all have our fair share of problems and situations we would rather avoid than confront. However, why do we feel the need to evade pressing issues rather than facing the situations at hand? Quickly filling up gaps in our schedules may be a “trauma response” or an alternative coping mechanism designed to distract us from reality. It is a way to avoid the potential consequences of making a decision. Making ourselves “too busy” to come face-to-face with our issues allows us to buy some extra time to live inside our constructed reality free of problems, and filled with tasks.

Through the course of today’s blog, I will walk you through the rather hidden explanations as to why a full schedule may seem like an escape from situations we are trying to avoid. We will explore whether or not a full schedule may be a toxic trait present in our lives, as well as some alternate ways to cope with and handle pressing situations.

Feeling the urge to be busy may seem innocent at first, however feeling reassured at the sight of a full schedule may indicate that you are deliberately planning to avoid traumatic situations by occupying yourself with work. PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition triggered by circumstances or events that evoke fear, anxiety, and recurring memories or thoughts about the event. A way of coping with emotion-arousing situations can be the intentional addition of more work to our daily lives. Keeping busy can provide temporary relief and distraction from issues at hand.



Here are some warning signs to look out for regarding PTSD:

  1. Recurring intrusive thoughts or memories

  2. Intense anxiety when thinking back to traumatic events

  3. Physical ailments such as pain, shortness of breath, or nausea

Keep in mind that having a busy schedule does not mean that you do not suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or that any of the symptoms of PTSD.

In contrast, some may benefit greatly from staying busy. The habit of keeping busy varies from person to person, so you may simply be using it as a means of coping with trauma-inducing events. The “National Institute of Mental Health” recommends that we find our own unique ways to deal with situations we may go out of our way to avoid. My only suggestion for coping with trauma is to stay engaged with work in a healthy way.

Some examples of healthy coping activities to include in your schedule:

  1. Take a walk or exercise: Any form of exercise tends to provide a boost in our mental health. Not only does it provide improved cardiovascular health, it also allows us to invest in our own wellbeing.

  2. Spend more time in nature: Spending time in nature improves our health and wellness by allowing us to ground ourselves in the present moment. This can include sitting in the park or beach, hiking, or even gardening.

  3. Journal: Writing in a journal can be an excellent way to release any subconscious emotions or thoughts that may trouble us. Keeping a journal gives us a chance to clarify our thoughts about situations that we would prefer to avoid.

Keeping ourselves busy daily can be a good habit, provided we include healthy activities in our schedules. I hope that today’s blog provided some clarity on whether avoiding situations by occupying yourself with work or occupational activities is healthy in your daily life. Remember that what works for one person may not work for another.

















Sources


PsychCentral, “Signs You’re ‘Staying Busy’ as a Coping Mechanism”: https://psychcentral.com/blog/are-you-keeping-busy-to-avoid-your-feelings

Mental Health Minute, “99 Positive Coping Skills”: https://www.familyhconline.com/mental-health-minute-99-positive-coping-skills/

NBC News, “Why Walking is the Most Underrated Form of Exercise”: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/why-walking-most-underrated-form-exercise-ncna797271


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