Time management, daily routine

Q1.Do you think nowadays people have a better work-life balance than in the past?

Q2.How do people balance life and work?

Ans:I'd say they do as nowadays the world offers so many different ways to work and study that sacrificing personal life looks more like a mindset than a real problem. A lot of present-day employers do their best to help their employees have a good work-life balance by offering flexible work hours, the ability to work from home, improved overall workplace experience and opportunities for professional growth and social connections. So, even if many people are doing more work these days, it's only because it allows them to earn more money and live their lives to the fullest. What's more, at this day and age, fewer people have false expectations that they can have a lot of free time and earn a lot of money at the same time, which has helped them define what lifestyle they really want to have and enjoy sticking to it feeling satisfied and happy.

Q3.Do you agree that having a routine gives people more time to think?

Q4.How important is it to have a daily routine?

Ans:Well, I think having a routine doesn't guarantee, but increases the likelihood that you'll free up the time to think 'cause when you have a routine, a lot of things you do day-to-day slot in, and you don't have to think about them anymore. This gives you an opportunity to build in blocks of time for important things that you worry about. What's more, doing something repetitive involves little thought, which will give you more time to think about whatever is on your mind. But it's not gonna work out in some cases. For example, if you have too much on your plate (work, school, spouses, kids, chores, socializing and more), you won't be able to find the time to just sit down and think. You'll just juggle lots of tasks every single day. So I'd say it depends.

Q5.Why do some people refuse to abide by rules?

Ans:Well, I think there can be different reasons why people don't follow the rules they have to follow. One of the reasons I can think of is that they feel that these rules are unnecessary, silly or inconvenient for them, or they think that these rules restrict their freedom somehow. Another reason why people see it as acceptable to refuse to abide by rules is that they know there will be no consequences for not abiding by them. All in all, refusing to follow the rules, people protest against these rules or, on a global scale, rebel against the system they disagree with.

Q6.Do you agree that social media increases pressures of modern life?

Q7.What kinds of things make people feel pressured?

Ans:Well, I do agree with this because there is more information flowing into people's lives now than ever - much of it distressing and challenging. What is more, social media brings in more possibilities for interruptions and distractions as well as more social pressure to disclose personal information. I'd also like to mention other kinds of stress which social media brings to people's lives. I mean stress which might come from maintaining a large network of friends, having to keep up with status updates and even feeling jealous of friends' well-documented and well-appointed lives. Oh, and of course, stress from the increased awareness of stressful events in people's friends' lives. So yeah, social media,undoubtedly, increases pressures of modern life.

Q8.Do you think a small amount of stress can be beneficial for a person?

Ans:Definitely. We always think about stress as a really bad thing, but it's not. A little stress (when it's short-lived and not chronic) can actually be good for people 'cause it pushes people to the level of optimal alertness. I mean too little stress can lead to boredom and depression, too much stress can cause anxiety and health problems, whereas the right amount of acute stress tunes up the brain and therefore helps improve performance and an ability to solve problems. For example, the stress of a deadline can help people focus and pay more attention because time is running out. Plus, moderate levels of daily, manageable stress may strengthen the connection between neurons in a person's brain, improving memory and attention span, and therefore helping a person become more productive. Finally, in small doses stress can lead to increased resilience, and an ability to manage and respond to life stressors and to adaptively manage life situations in general.