The Never-Ending Cycle :- Bathing, Cooking, and Stretching Eat  Up 112 Days Annually…

By noon, I had already washed my hands six times, my wrists raw and stinging from New York’s dry winter air. But with twice-daily dog walks (and the inevitable cleanup) combined with peak cold and flu season (and strangers coughing everywhere), frequent handwashing was unavoidable.

I started thinking about how life is just a series of never-ending tasks—washing, eating, resting, exercising, brushing teeth—on an endless loop.I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

A friend recently texted: I have to put things like ‘apply night cream’ on my to-do list now. Another admitted- “For some reason, filling up my humidifier really sets me off. I’m Never-Ending Cycle spending my wild-ish and precious life on a HUMIDIFIER.And then the ultimate question came through-

When is anyone supposed to do anything?The Math of Everyday LifeCurious (and slightly horrified), I started tracking how much time I actually spend on life’s little necessities. Cooking oatmeal, walking my stubborn dog, crying to my therapist, stretching to undo my hunched-over desk posture—it all adds up.

Even drinking enough water takes up chunks of my day, Never-Ending Cycle as does showering and brewing my antioxidant-rich tea.So, I made a spreadsheet.Meditating: 3,650 minutes a yearWashing my face – 730 minutesWalking my dog: 25,550 minutes (!?)The grand total? 162,335 minutes per year That’s 2,705 hours or 112 days—almost a third of the year.

And this didn’t even include work or sleep, both of which are non-negotiable. I don’t even have kids, a house, or a car. I’m not a fitness junkie or someone with a 12-step skincare routine. But somehow, just existing takes up an overwhelming amount of time.

The Pressure to Do Even MoreI used to feel guilty for not doing more. I’d read about the latest health trends and wonder if I should be adding cold plunges, weightlifting, or infrared sauna sessions to my already packed schedule.But after crunching these Never-Ending Cycle numbers, I let go of that guilt.

I simply don’t have time.There’s a cultural pressure to always be optimizing—always striving for peak wellness. But, as scholar Mimi Khaki puts it, We are forced to be ‘well,’ to pretend we’re okay, to never have needs, because otherwise, we don’t belong.

That pressure can be exhausting.Finding a BalanceSo, where does that leave me? Resenting my humidifier, for one thing. But also recognizing that Never-Ending Cycle some of these tasks—meal planning, movement, even hydration—are ways I care for myself. They’re annoying, sure, but they’re also acts of survival.

I still wish I had more time to just be—to lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling without feeling like I should be doing something productive. But for now, I’ll focus on what actually matters to me and let the rest go.And yes, I ordered the humidifier my friends recommended. But every time I have to fill it up, I’ll be quietly cursing the extra 240 minutes it’s stealing from my life.

The Bigger Picture : How Daily Habits Add Up
When we sum up the time spent on bathing, cooking, and stretching, it totals around 112 days per year. That’s nearly a third of the year devoted to just three essential tasks! Add in sleep, work, change, and resting activities, and it’s easy to see how time slips away.

This realization begs the question: Can we optimize these tasks to free up more time for personal growth, hobbies, and relaxation?

Improve Your Daily Routine
While we can’t exclude these tasks entirely, we can certainly make them more effective. Here are some practical tips to refine these activities and reclaim more time in your day:

1. Shorten Your Shower Time
-Consider limiting showers to 5–10 minutes to save time (and water!).
-Use multitasking strategies like brushing your teeth or applying a face mask while showering.
-Switch to a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner to reduce extra rinsing time.

2. Meal Prep for Efficiency
-Dedicate one day a week to batch cooking and meal prepping.
-Use slow cookers, air fryers, or pressure cookers to speed up cooking time.
-Opt for simple, nutritious meals that require fewer ingredients and steps.

3. Incorporate extension into Other Activities
-Stretch while watching TV, working at your desk, or brushing your teeth.
-Use standing desks or stretch breaks to integrate movement throughout your day.
-Try short, 5-minute stretching sessions instead of longer ones to maintain consistency.

The Importance of Balance
Although it’s tempting to cut down on these daily routines to maximize efficiency, it’s also essential to find a balance. Rushing through self-care can negatively impact mental and physical well-being. Instead of eliminating these routines, consider them as opportunities for mindfulness and self-improvement.

For example, turning your shower time into a moment of relaxation with aromatherapy can enhance your mood. Cooking can be a creative outlet rather than just a chore. Stretching can serve as a form of meditation and stress relief. By shifting your mindset, these daily activities can become more meaningful rather than just time-consuming.

Conclusion
The realisation that bathing, cooking, and stretching remove 112 days a year may be surprising, but these tasks are essential for a healthy and fulfilling life. By implementing small changes, we can optimize our routines without sacrificing well-being. Whether through time-saving hacks or a shift in perspective, making the most of these daily habits allows us to reclaim time for what truly matters—personal growth, creativity, and enjoying life’s precious moments.