MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors

Three takeaways:

High-functioning anxiety is the constant, hidden exhaustion felt by those who experience inner turmoil and worry, even while achieving great things and generally meeting life’s challenges.

High-functioning anxiety can be difficult to recognize because it often shows up as traits that are typically admired. Individuals with this type of anxiety may appear highly driven, organized, and detail-focused. They tend to thrive professionally, are seen as reliable friends, and seem to effortlessly manage their responsibilities. However, behind this seemingly composed surface, a very different reality often exists– one defined by self-doubt, sensitivity to criticism, and a deep-rooted drive to meet unrealistic expectations.

At this point, there is little clinical research to back up the longterm ill-effects of high-functioning burnout– but as life speeds up and the lines that define work/life balance become more blurred, it is clear that when left unaddressed, it can have incredibly toxic long term effects. But thankfully, there are avenues for addressing it:

1. Reframe Success. Embrace Imperfection: Learn to accept that we can never be perfect. Set healthy boundaries. Prioritize rest. Recognize that success isn’t just about constant achievement—it also includes well-being and balance.
2. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care: Meditation and breathing exercises will help calm racing thoughts and reduce the need to stay constantly productive. Incorporate intentional self-care routines including reprioritized sleep, better nutrition, and the pursuit enjoyable leisure activities. These all support emotional resilience.
3. Engage in Cognitive Restructuring: Work on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns through techniques like journaling and therapy. These practices help develop healthier self-belief, strengthens the power of reflective thought, and creates space to say no to overwhelming demands without guilt.

With the right mix of self-compassion and practical treatment, high-functioning anxiety can be defeated.

By Ashwini Padhi for The Guardian
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Three takeaways:

Understanding the value of leisure– and treating it as seriously as we do our work– does not necessarily need to add a stress to the time usually earmarked for relaxation. It can unlock greater levels of happiness and self improvement.

Instead of defining leisure as the absence of work’s stressors or constraints, one should look at it as “an attitude of openness to the world through deep contemplation.” 20th Century German Philosopher Josef Pieper said this deep contemplation would involve “philosophical reflection, deep artistic experiences, learning new ideas or skills, spending time in nature, or deepening personal relationships”
So what are some tactics for increasing your aptitude for productive leisure?

1. Structure your leisure: Even if just one hour in your leisure time, build out a plan or structure for enrichment. Push yourself to do difficult reading, or go on a reflective walk. Be stringent about living up to this routine, even if you feel like doing little else than sitting on the couch.
2. Don’t fritter away your leisure: One of the biggest killers of productive leisure is the inability to get started. Once you have a goal for your leisure time, do not allow yourself to be distracted or swayed from pursuing it with full attention. Waste no time in doing so, starting promptly to avoid letting distraction take hold.
3. Set specific leisure goals: Humans are naturally goal-oriented, and setting clear objectives is key to maintaining motivation– especially given the open structure of leisure. Just as measurable progress in fitness helps sustain an exercise routine, structured goals can enhance hobbies like reading books starting a meditation practice, learning a language, or engaging more thoughtfully with music. By pursuing specific outcomes—such as completing a series of books, preparing for a meditation retreat, or becoming an expert on a specific composer—leisure activities gain purpose and deeper fulfillment.

If we let leisure become nothing but “non-work” downtime, we embrace a deadened, dull path. To embrace the possibility of useful leisure is to choose a path of improvement, and joy.

From Arthur C. Brooks at The Atlantic:
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