Addicted to Rushing
How I'm Genetically Wired to Rush Through Life
Last week, I had the fortune of attending Ru Paul’s 'House of Hidden Meanings' book tour. Among many revelations, Ru admitted to being addicted to rushing—a confession that resonated deeply with me. Like him, I often find myself in a perpetual state of motion, chasing an endless to-do list, and frequently catching myself almost out of breath and out of body. This moment of self-awareness, sparked by Ru, led me to confront not just why I rush, but what I can do about it.
It’s not simply about fear of being late. City life, constant connectivity, and remote work have embedded in our collective consciousness the notion that busyness is a virtue. The idea of waiting a week for a postal reply now seems archaic. We have become addicted to the rush of rushing, often feeling uneasy during moments of calm.
This pattern has dominated my life for years, manifesting physically as restlessness when idle and emotionally as guilt during relaxation. Perhaps these feelings are tied to deep-seated fears of inadequacy or a drive to prove myself. However, my curiosity about the neurobiological roots of this behaviour led me to explore the role of dopamine—a neurotransmitter that might explain this compulsion.
Dopamine and Rushing
Dopamine, often dubbed the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, is crucial for pleasure and motivation. It compels us towards actions that ensure survival, such as eating and procreating, and rewards completed tasks with a surge of satisfaction. Modern life has tweaked this system: now, simple acts like checking emails or finishing presentations trigger dopamine releases, perpetuating a cycle of task completion and fleeting pleasure. This biochemical process can forge a habit of relentless rushing as we seek the next dopamine 'hit' from our accomplishments.
Insights from Genetics
My interest in understanding my behavioural tendencies led me to undergo genetic testing with Lifecode GX. The results were revealing: imbalances in my dopamine pathways, particularly in receptor binding and breakdown, suggest that, in essence, my dopamine is hanging around in the background and I'm not making much use of it. This would probably explain why I get a buzz from completing tasks and could explain my addiction to rushing.
However, genetics isn't destiny. Environmental factors—stress, diet, lifestyle, mindset and trauma—profoundly influence these genetic predispositions. Acknowledging this interplay is crucial as I explore interventions.
Strategies for Change
Aware of my genetic makeup and its impacts, I'm adopting strategies to cultivate a more balanced pace of life:
Limiting Stress: Cortisol, a hormone released in times of stress, seems to be draining my genetic potential. This means being aware of my stress but also limiting things that can add to my cortisol load—not overdoing the caffeine or not doing too much high-intensity exercise—sigh.
Mindfulness Practices: I've committed to at least 30 minutes of breathwork or meditation daily. Despite my ego’s resistance—preferring the familiar rush and control—this practice helps me centre and slow down.
Time Management: Learning to prioritise tasks effectively, say no, and set boundaries has been transformative. Embracing the discomfort of not always being busy is a challenging but necessary adjustment.
Seeking Joy in Slowness: Integrating activities like reading before bed or taking mindful walks, regardless of the weather, has enriched my life. These activities, enjoyable and inherently slow, are vital for retraining my brain to appreciate being present.
Conclusion
Recognising and addressing the addiction to rushing is more than just doing less—it's about reshaping what we do and how we do it to ensure it's meaningful and mindful. In a world that prizes speed, choosing slowness is a radical act that can significantly enhance our mental and physical health. It’s not an easy journey, but it is a rewarding one that allows us to truly experience and enjoy life's moments.
For those interested in learning more about genetics and the mind, I’m speaking at the Lifecode GX ‘Nutrigenomics Master Practitioner: Genes in Mind’ event - 10-24th May 2024. For more details, please see here: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/lgxmind.
Hard relate on addiction to rushing… really looking forward to the Genes in Mind event 🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️