tidsbrist

Tidsbrist is a term used in Swedish to describe a lack of sufficient time to carry out tasks, obligations, or preferred activities. It reflects a subjective experience rather than an objective timetable, and is commonly discussed in relation to work, study, caregiving, and personal life.

In everyday life, tidsbrist arises when demands exceed the available hours in the day or when tasks take longer than anticipated. Causes include long or irregular working hours, tight deadlines, high workloads, multitasking, bureaucratic processes, and the impact of digital tools that encourage constant connectivity.

The consequences can be psychological and physical, including stress, fatigue, reduced concentration, and burnout. It may also lead to lower quality of work, poor sleep, strained relationships, and a sense of loss of control.

Coping with tidsbrist involves prioritization and efficient planning. Strategies commonly recommended are setting clear goals, using time-blocking or to-do lists, delegating tasks, saying no to nonessential commitments, outsourcing routine activities, automating repetitive work, and preserving rest and boundary setting around work time. Creating realistic schedules, buffering for surprises, and reducing context switching can help increase perceived time availability.

While tidsbrist is widely discussed in media and policy debates about work-life balance and productivity, it remains a subjective experience influenced by personal values and social context. Addressing it often requires organizational and cultural changes as well as individual habits.