Is Procrastination Affecting Your Stress Level?

As human beings, we all procrastinate from time to time.

Procrastination is the act of putting off or postponing decisions and actions.

Sometimes we end up developing a habit of putting off tasks that are necessary to complete, thus leading to negative consequences (i.e., stress).

Research has shown that people who procrastinate experience more stress than non-procrastinators, which can create a cycle of poor health simply due to putting things off.

Our reasons for procrastinating can be all over the place. It can be from boredom, lack of confidence, anxiety, perfectionism, or so many other distractions.

Procrastination and stress go hand-in-hand, amplifying one another.

Okay, think about an essay you have due next week, but you put off for a few more days because you “have time.”

Now it’s due in two days, but you begin worrying, stressing, about how difficult it will be to write, so you put it off for just a little bit longer.

So… now you have an essay due at midnight, and it’s already 11pm. Your stress reaches its peak.

On a macro-level, the effects of procrastination can lead to issues like decreased overall academic performance, decreased mental and physical health, and poorer overall wellbeing.

Here are a couple ways to help reduce procrastination and stress:

1. Create a daily task list and schedule time to complete each task. You can also order your list based on most essential to least.

2. Take a moment to make time to relax and take a breather- take a walk, read a book, or even meditate!

3. Identify the consequences of procrastinating a task. If you push off completing your essay for school, there’s the consequence of failing.

4. Eliminate possible distractions! So turn off your phone, disconnect from the internet, and be present with your task.

5. Acknowledge and reward your progress- you are an adult and you are allowed to treat yourself after an accomplishment!

There are various tools that can be used to help reduce both stress and procrastination.

Identifying the one that works best for you is your next step in maintaining a healthy mind.