The Psychological Impacts of Time Poverty

Time poverty creates a constant stress state in our body, triggering the same hormonal response that occurs when we are under threat. Repeated exposure to the threat of time poverty works the same way as repeated exposure to any threat. This results in our brain shifting operations to the amygdala, the part of our brain responsible for responding to threats. Our amygdala has the capacity to do three things: Fight, Flight, and Freeze. Constant exposure to time poverty means that our amygdala is stuck in the on position, and this can be very detrimental to our mental health and overall well-being.

In therapy, we often view this elongated exposure to threat using a concept called the window of tolerance. To learn more about the window of tolerance, check out this blog post. In a sense, time poverty pulls us out of our window of tolerance and puts us into a constant state of hyper- or hypo-arousal. This can leave us feeling tired, anxious, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained. It can also result in changes in sleep patterns. Some might find falling asleep or staying asleep challenging, whereas others might notice that they need more sleep than usual. 

Time poverty might creep in quietly or announce itself like a loud bang. You might notice it when you rush through meals, check messages between conversations, or feel uneasy the moment you finally sit down. Over time, this constant hurry shapes how we think, feel, and connect with the world around us. Research shows that people who feel time-poor often report lower life satisfaction and higher levels of stress and fatigue (Jaggi & Gupta, 2025). It's not just about having too many things to do; it's the sense that there is never enough space to unwind. It's about never feeling satisfied in completing a task because your brain is already jumping ahead to the million other things on your plate. This mindset can result in us having less patience with others. As we rush through life, we can sometimes forget to take the time needed to phrase feedback with kindness. 

Due to this shift, relationships can feel the weight of time poverty, too. Given that time poverty deteriorates our patience, our relationships can struggle due to less effective communication and more misunderstandings. When every moment feels scheduled, it also becomes harder to connect spontaneously or find the rest that helps us feel grounded. Indeed, one study found that time poverty can lower our sense of control and emotional balance, which can lead to burnout and disconnection (Ng, Tan, & Chung, 2024). Over time, time poverty can steal the depth and joy that make our lives feel meaningful.

Understanding and identifying time poverty in our lives is an important first step, but it naturally brings up the question: So now what? It's tempting to assume that the solution is to simply organize better or squeeze more efficiency out of the day. But feeling time-poor usually isn't because of a messy calendar. It's often tied to a mix of internal habits, external responsibilities, and the larger culture we move through every day.

Part of addressing time poverty means looking inward. Reflecting on the pressure we put on ourselves, the patterns that keep us saying yes when we're already stretched thin, or the way perfectionism quietly eats up hours. This reflection is something that can be done with your therapist. Understanding your personal patterns at play, which make time poverty more likely, can be an integral part of the solution.

But there's an external piece too. Many of us are responding to expectations from work, family roles, or the world around us that seems to reward constant productivity. It makes sense that time feels scarce when we're trying to meet standards that are, frankly, impossible. Here, we might need to reflect on the boundaries we have with the owners of those expectations and be assertive in communicating when we cannot meet them.

If you're seeing yourself in these patterns, it doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. You're simply navigating life in a culture that glorifies productivity even at a human cost and makes slowing down a challenge. Real change usually starts with gently asking what actually matters to you. What can be released? What no longer deserves space on your plate? And where might boundaries help protect your time and energy? Sometimes this means redefining what "enough" looks like, questioning old stories about worth and productivity, or simply admitting that the expectations placed on you aren't sustainable.

If you're feeling worn thin or stuck in a cycle of constant doing, you're not alone, and you're not trapped. Our Edmonton-based therapists are here to help. Talking to a trained professional can help highlight tangible ways to work through time poverty. Even small steps can make a big difference, and we'd be honoured to walk alongside you as you take them.

Resources:

Jaggi, S.K., & Gupta, D.J. (2025). Chronically busy, chronically unhealthy? Understanding the time poverty and health interplay through systematic review synthesis. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), Article 2491707. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.249170

Ng, I. Y. H., Tan, Z. H., & Chung, G. (2024). Time Poverty among the Young Working Poor: A Pathway from Low Wage to Psychological Well-Being through Work-to-Family Conflict. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 45(4), 892–906. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-024-09951-1 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23311886.2025.2491707