Are you the type of person who is never on time? Well, here are some good news for you. People Always Running Late Are Happier And Healthier according to a recent Harvard study.
People Always Running Late Are Happier And Healthier
Are you thinking about yourself right now? Are you always running late for almost EVERYTHING? Does it seem like no matter how early you leave or how great your intentions are, you never quite make it to your destination on time? Well, it’s time to cut yourself a break (pun intended!).
If, on the other hand, you’re always on time and thought of someone else above, well, cut them a break, too. Turns out they’re quite possibly healthier and happier than you!
This is crazy but according to a study from Harvard University, people who usually run late also tend to be happier and live longer. What happens is people who are always late tend to be very optimistic, and that actually is good when it comes to their health.
Being late is strongly associated to optimism and higher levels of enthusiasm
Have you ever noticed how people who are always running late seem to be more positive and upbeat? You may be seething that your best friend shows up 20 minutes past your lunch reservation, but she arrives smiling like it’s no big deal. Before you fly off the deep end and berate her for her “inconsideration,” take a look at her overall personality. I bet you find that she’s more passionate, more enthusiastic, and an overall happier person.
“Many late people tend to be both optimistic and unrealistic and this affects their perception of time,” says Diana DeLonzor in her book, Never Be Late Again.
“They remember that single shining day 10 years ago when they really did all those things in 60 minutes flat, and forget all the other times that everything took much, much longer.”
Optimistic people have one thing in common: They’re always late
As Justin Kruger, a New York University School of Business psychologist, explained to the Wall Street Journal, society has all sorts of punishments in place for those who are late, yet people still fail to arrive on time despite these demerits. Why? Like DeLonzer said, it has little to do with not caring about the punishments and more to do with underestimating the amount of time it will take to accomplish all of their tasks.
Alfie Kohn of Psychology Today suggests turning the question around to discover the answer of why people run late (and why they don’t seem to be upset when they do). Rather than ask “why is my friend always late” try asking “why am I always on time?” The answer: you have a more down-to-earth recognition of how long it will take for you to get somewhere, or how long it takes to do all of your chores. Your friend, on the other hand, may be more of a dreamer. She believes she can realistically run to the pharmacy to pick up her prescriptions, drop off her laundry at the dry cleaner, and make it clear across town all within an hour.
Basically, she’s a positive thinker. That doesn’t mean you’re a pessimist, it just means that she’s more willing to believe that everything will work out in the end…even if it’s really only happened that one time.
People always running late are healthier
What this means is people who are running late are often operating with a sense of calm. And according to a paper from Harvard Medical School, that’s quite possibly adding years to their lives. In fact, even holding for other predictors of health, research has found that “an optimistic outlook early in life can predict better health and a lower rate of death during follow-up periods of 15 to 40 years.”
Being optimistic means you are a happier person overall. You are always focusing on the positive side of things, and that translates into a more productive, creative, and relaxed life. And according to the Harvard researchers (and backed up by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers) , this attitude could be adding some years to your life too.
The study also mentions that if you are an optimistic person, you will have less chances of high blood pressure and heart disease. “Optimism appears to protect the heart and circulation — and it’s heartening to learn that it can have similar benefits for overall health.”
None of this means that it’s socially acceptable to be late for everything. Whenever possible, you should really try to be on time, if not to avoid punishment then to protect the sanity of those waiting on you. I wish I could be on time sometimes for certain things. But it is nice to know that if you are late, it doesn’t mean you are a failure. On the contrary, running late every now and then may just mean you are a happier and healthier person.
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Reality Check says
Personal happiness and health aside, keep in mind constant tardiness is selfish and is at the expense of others. Failing to do something as simple as being on time only demonstrates self-importance and a lack of empathy and respect for others by forcing them to wait and waste their time for someone else’s inability to effectively manage their time. This is not an admirable trait to encourage in reality.
A better solution to be just as happy and relaxed is simply to allocate a bit of extra time to be on time instead of forcing others to put everything on hold in the name of their personal optimism and “health.”
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Empathetic says
I’d just like to point out the condescending tone of this remark. Anytime you immediately write someone off, as you have, you display a lack of consideration and empathy. Until you can understand exactly what a person goes through you should never describe their struggle as “as simple as”. Unless of course you apply that same sentiment to your own failings and simply overcome them by acknowledging the deep lack of competence you have compared to everyone else.
Might I suggest simply “learning to be happy and relaxed” instead of holding such animosity towards those who have at some point inconvenienced you.
Joan Denz-Hamilton says
Thank you!
Consistently Late says
Reality Check, you are obviously not a chronically late person otherwise you would have a much better understanding of how this actually happens.
FYI not ALL cases are demonstrations of self-importance and a lack of empathy and respect for others. Some people actually have very busy lives and have, in fact, a lot that needs to be done within the day. And…running around after other people, and their needs.
Claiming that people are being forced to wait and waste their time for someone else’s inability to effectively manage their time seems an extremely narrow minded view. Either that or it is a view of a person who doesn’t really care to exert themself further than their own backyard. Soo… doing things for others wouldn’t be very high on the agenda… therefore allowing plenty of time to arrive places consistently early.
Hmm I know which personality I much prefer to be! And I am well aware that this is not an admirable trait to be encouraged or celebrated. Contrary to what you may think, it DOES get to me when I am late and people have been kept waiting, but hey, my friends know me, and they love me, and I help lots of things become reality for others, by giving up that extra bit of time.
I’ve tried to change, but some things are as set as the sound of your voice. You know what? I love my voice.
Lisa says
Chronic lateness is a sign of DISRESPECT to those waiting for you for dinner, picking up your child from any activity, being late for an appointment with a Dr., , being late for a ride to the airport etc.
Self centered people is who they are.
Miles B says
I agree. We are all busy and all have lives and things to do. You can’t use the excuse that we should take into consideration that people to which are chronically late is because they are busy. NO. They are rude and self centered. If you tell someone you are going to be somewhere at a certain time, then be there. Plain and simple.
Think of others says
I agree with reality check. I know someone who is late for everything and i think it is pure selfishness. She always puts her own needs above others. She has been late to 99 percent of every family event. We have had to pht our lives on hold for her everytime. She is not a happy person at all…the exact opposite actually. She continues to be late no matter the conseqences.
Me says
Those who criticize the one who are late… Need to chill. If u have never walked a day in their shoes you should not comment about others and how much they respect or disrespect anything… You have no idea of what another person feels… So don’t go there… I am chronically always late and I love and respect my family and friends and I love my job I wouldn’t trade it for a thing… I would do anything for anyone… I will work another 8 HR shift if my relief don’t show and not complain at all but I can’t get to work on time. It has nothing to do with disrespect or selfishness. I know how crappy I feel because of my lateness… It makes me feel like a complete looser… I try to do everything I can to show respect and love. My lateness has nothing to do with anything but my world:: of obstacles :: red light waiting and slow cars in the fast lane or trying to find my keys or my cats being under my car ….ECT…..I would love to be everywhere 10 min early.. And no matter how hard I try… Well… Thanks for your time….lol
Maria says
Yes !!!!
Stephen Marcus says
Here is the other side of running late. It is not fair to keep other people waiting: https://firebrandtalent.com/blog/2011/07/no-you-are-not-running-late-you-are-rude-and-selfish/
Marie says
I would like to think people that have been late aren’t trying to be selfish. They probably have good reason but know the person in charge probably doesn’t want to hear their excuse. As far as them sitting down and acting like all is okay… well what else can they do?
d says
Hi. I’m just trying to help you out.
In through opening to this story, you said ‘here are some good news for you.’
The proper way to say it is ‘here is some good news for you.’
Karen Neff says
CHRONIC lateness is very different than, say, getting behind slow traffic while in route. Chronic tardiness, to me, does indicate a lack of concern for the time and effort of others. I used to teach at a school over an hour away from home. I would always call when I was running late for an afterschool appointment. It’s just showing respect for another’s time.
Mel says
Im guessing the negative Nancy comments came from people who are on-time. Lol
Shannon says
If I’m running late I automatically start stressing. Stress is not healthy. Happy? What? I’m not happy about being late and certainly not the person or event waiting on me.
Always Late says
Some of the comments above crack me up – do you hear yourself?? It’s disrespectful! It’s pure selfishness! Come on really?? I am very successful and unfortunately am always late! My friends joke about it – are we showing up at 1 o’clock or is it your 1 o’clock (which usually means 30 minutes later) – they purposely tell me wrong time to show up so I am on time – they know me – they know I try but as the article says it’s true – my brain always tells me I have time to get 1 more thing done – it’s a curse and there times I stress all the way there – I have learned to adapt and schedule most of my appointments with clients in windows of time. But the article is correct I usually show up happy -I am usually the positive thinker in the group – I am the one that calms my friends when they are stressed – I have tons of people who love me and love being around me because of how upbeat I am and how I always have a positive believe – it has lead to a very successful life because I always believe I can achieve what I set out to do and I usually do!! I feel bad for the people in this article complaining it is selfish or disrespectful – so you look at everyone that has downfalls with this disrespect?? Do you not realize this is something that people like me just can’t help – it isn’t we don’t care or we don’t want – heck it would make life easier if I could but no matter how hard I try it just doesn’t happen – maybe you should examine your own life and ask why I am so angry and hateful thinking – yes you can tell a simple article got under your skin!! You take it so personally – well that isn’t healthy to be that easily irritated! I am mean I guess the positive point for us late people – as easily as you are stressed and angered – you won’t be here long to complain about people being late!
Always Late says
Oops left an extra few words in there – meant to Say I guess the positive for us people –
CastorPollux says
I’m always late. To everything. BUT, I fully expect everyone to carry-on as usual and I’ll just join in when I get there. That’s on me, they shouldn’t suffer or rearrange their day.
Yvonne says
Lol!!!! This article is Me. Wow. ❤🙏🏾
LostTimeSomewhereAlongTheWay says
I couldn’t be on time if my life depended on it. I try, oh how I try, in fact I try every time and so very hard. I hate letting people down, making people wait, people thinking I am rude, self-centered or selfish, the “looks” I get when I finally arrive, etc. but inevitably no matter how much time I have, how ahead I may be at some moment, something will still cause me to be late. It may be something I’ve forgotten, something unexpected happens, something I want to do for someone before arriving or think I need to do but always I am late.
I am usually the positive person, the smiling, helpful, socially outgoing person but the moment someone starts rushing me or springs something on me at the last minute, I feel stressed beyond belief. The moment someone gets upset with me, makes snarky comments, etc. I feel anger because I know how hard I tried to be on time & I know how I feel when I’m late but nothing I do seems to help me be on time so I get angry. Angry that they aren’t more understanding, angry that if they know I’m always late they don’t give me a different time and most of all angry at myself because I can’t manage time better. Oftentimes the stress or anger make me not want to go somewhere just so I don’t disappoint someone or have to deal with the emotions it creates in me.
It really is a struggle and it’s comforting to realize I am not the only one who struggles with it.