Why We Procrastinate and What to Do About It? A Psychotherapist Explains!
According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2023, there may be a link between procrastination and increased levels of mental health consequences.
The study, which involved 3525 Swedish University students, found that people who reported higher levels of procrastination also tended to have worse mental health symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Procrastination is also associated with more unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (poor sleep quality and physical inactivity), and worse levels of psychosocial health factors (higher loneliness and more economic difficulties).
A lot of time, we use procrastination as a common maladaptive coping mechanism for dealing with stress and anxiety, as it provides temporary relief but ultimately leads to more stress and negative emotions. However, we may feel even more anxious after procrastination and criticizes ourselves harder.
So, What is Procrastination?
Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks, even if they are important or have negative consequences if left undone. Many people assume that procrastination is due to a lack of willpower, poor time management, or laziness. However, studies have shown that it has more to do with our brain's response to stress and threat.
Why Do We Procrastinate?
The amygdala is a part of our brain that is responsible for our fight-or-flight response when we detect a threat. When we procrastinate, the amygdala tells our brain to generate stress hormones, which leads us to avoid the potential threat. Thus, when we procrastinate, it's our brain trying to protect us from potential stress and anxiety.
How to Overcome Procrastination?
Knowing the mechanism behind procrastination can help us take steps to overcome it. Here are some tips that can help us deal with procrastination:
Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals. It will help you start the task and reduce anxiety.
Break down the task: Break the task into smaller and manageable parts, so each part looks less overwhelming.
Reward yourself: Give yourself a small reward after completing each part. This can be as simple as taking a short break or having a snack.
Avoid distractions: Minimize distractions while working on the task. This can include turning off notifications, finding a quiet place to work, or using apps that block access to social media.
Check out this video and try our tips to help with procrastination! Leave us comments if you find it helpful!
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