WATCH: The negative effects of procrastination
Why do we keep procrastinating when we know it's bad for us?
It's been said that procrastination is the thief of time.
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We've all been there, whether you are putting off a school report or a gym session, making excuses is sometimes just too easy.
While some people might make light of their procrastination, the effects it can have on mental and physical health are very real.
Studies have shown that:
- 20% of adults are chronic procrastinators,
- 50% of students procrastinate in a persistent and chronic manner
- 75% of students consider themselves procrastinators,
- 74% of adults indicated they go to bed later than planned at least once a week, without an external reason.
Procrastination is often confused with laziness or poor time management, but it is actually rooted in anxiety, perfectionism or fear of failure.
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Here are a few ways in which procrastinating can affect your mental health.
It increases anxiety and stress
When we procrastinate, it feels like a temporary relief. However, this only creates long-term stress.
This leads to low-grade anxiety and burnout over time.
The more we put things off, the more they mentally snowball. Procrastination becomes a self-sabotaging loop, where stress builds up, and we begin to avoid tasks altogether out of fear of failure or judgment.”
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It affects your self-esteem
It chips away at your confidence whenever you miss a deadline or don't achieve a goal.
Even though it's not true, you start believing you are incapable or not disciplined enough.
You start seeing yourself as unreliable or inadequate, which can lead to feelings of shame and depression. These are signs that your mental well-being is being compromised.
It negatively affects your relationships
Procrastination doesn't just affect you, it can also have a negative impact on your relationships. You might forget important dates, avoid resolving conflict or slack in your responsibilities at home or at work.
This can lead to a breakdown in trust and feelings of resentment. When you create emotional distance, people feel neglected and unimportant.
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It delays forming healthy habits
When you put off self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or eating healthy food, the delays add up and become the norm.
It puts your growth on hold
The longer you delay the life you want to live, the more procrastination keeps you stuck in one place.
Mental health professionals emphasise a connection between purpose and psychological well-being, as living with intention and pursuing growth contribute to long-term happiness.
Health promotion goes beyond illness prevention, it’s about living well, on purpose. And it starts with small daily choices that align with who you want to become.
Watch the video below to learn more about procrastination, its effects and how to put a stop to it:
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Main image courtesy of TED-Ed/YouTube