Americans Are Stressed About Time, and It’s Fueling Anxiety
For many Americans, time feels like an enemy. A new survey reveals that nearly 7 in 10 people (68%) regularly fret about not having enough hours in the day, and it’s taking a toll on their mental health. Conducted by Talker Research for Avocado Green Mattress, the poll of 2,000 U.S. adults uncovers a widespread struggle with “time anxiety”—a gnawing worry about managing life’s demands.
The study, released in March 2025, found that the average person loses about two and a half hours daily to stress over time. That adds up to a staggering 38 days a year spent agonizing over schedules, deadlines, and the relentless tick of the clock. For some, it’s even worse: 25% of respondents said they waste over four hours a day trapped in this mental spiral.
What’s driving this obsession? Work tops the list, with 42% citing job pressures as their biggest time thief. Daily chores (36%) and family responsibilities (28%) also rank high. Meanwhile, 41% admitted they’d rather tackle unpleasant tasks—like a trip to the DMV—than face the guilt of “wasting” a day. The irony? All this worrying leaves less time for living.
Sleep takes a hit, too. Over half (54%) reported losing rest due to racing thoughts about time, with younger adults—Gen Z and Millennials—hit hardest. Constant connectivity doesn’t help: 45% blamed social media and technology for amplifying their stress, as endless scrolling eats into their hours.
The consequences are real. Nearly two-thirds (63%) said time anxiety has worsened their overall well-being, with 37% noting physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue. Yet, there’s a glimmer of hope: 57% believe they could reclaim their days with better habits, like unplugging or setting boundaries.
Experts aren’t surprised. “Time anxiety reflects a culture obsessed with productivity,” said Dr. Lisa Harmon, a psychologist not involved in the study. “We’re wired to feel time is slipping away, but stressing about it only digs the hole deeper.” The survey hints at a solution—those who prioritize rest and downtime report less of this dread.
As clocks keep ticking, Americans face a choice: wrestle with time or rethink how to live with it. For now, the data suggests most are still caught in the struggle.