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Do You Know How Procrastinating Harms Your Health?

Post by: KATHY SKINNER in Procrastination, mood
Everyone might put off a task or two and it’s not the end of the world if your bedroom isn’t tidied up on time. But procrastination can be a problem if it affects your work or important tasks. 
Over time, procrastination can affect your finances and your self-worth, and even have a negative impact on your mental health. 
Even if you are not part of the 20% of adults who are chronic procrastinators, you may want to take inventory of yourself to make sure you don’t slip into this habit. Don’t be fooled by thinking a procrastinator
is lazy because they are not. They’re actually just very busy doing other things than what they’re supposed to be doing.
 
Researchers aren’t sure if it is certain health problems that make people more likely to procrastinate — or the other way around. They do think that the effects of chronic procrastination could build up over time causing severe health issues.
 
The Hazards of Procrastinating

Researchers have tied procrastination, especially chronic, to a range of potential health issues and other negative outcomes, including:
Digestive problems
Muscle tension and pain
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Disabling arm pain
Poor sleep quality
Physical inactivity
Loneliness
Economic difficulties

What most research today suggests, is that procrastination is a behavioral pattern. This is good because that means it’s something you can change!

Tips to Put You Into Action

Become aware of your actions. Pause and ask yourself:
  • Why am I putting this off?
  • Is it because I find the task difficult or overwhelming?  
  • Would putting this task off make it any easier or harder?

Keep the consequences in mind. Reflect on your procrastination by doing a cost-benefit analysis — basically, weighing the pros and cons — of procrastination. Ask yourself:   
  • What benefits do I get if I do it now versus if I do it later?
  • What do I lose by completing this task now?
You will probably discover that in postponing the task, you’re prolonging the stress. You’re not getting rid of it.

Break Down the Tasks into Smaller Projects. Having a giant stack of things to do can feel overwhelming or you may feel unprepared to handle what’s ahead. Try rewarding yourself with something pleasant each time you complete a small task. For example,
If the thought of cleaning your entire messy house is overwhelming, break it down into tinier spaces. Pick one side of a room and tidy up for a set amount of time, like 15 minutes, and then reward yourself by sitting down with a cup of tea or a walk in your garden (my favorite), etc. What often happens is that once you get going, you just might complete the whole room without a break! But start with the minimum 15 minutes, followed by doing something fun for you.

Some Essential Oils to Help You Overcome Procrastination
Try diffusing and/or applying topically a drop over your heart and/or to pulse points.
Remember the quality of the essential oils you use makes all the difference. 

Geranium - the oil of love & trust
  • Decreases: Distrust, unforgiveness, feeling disheartened and a sense of loss
  • Increases: Emotional healing, trusting, forgiving, tolerance, being open & loving
InTune - the oil of focus
  • Decreases: Distraction, lack of awareness, daydreaming, procrastination, feeling scattered
  • Increases: Focus, completion of projects & tasks, living in the present moment, calm
Juniper Berry - the oil of fear of the unknown  
  • Decreases: Irrational fears, hiding, resistance, avoidance
  • Increases: Protection, courage, self-awareness, wholeness, honest assessment
Motivate - the oil of encouragement
  • Decreases: Discouragement, stagnation, feeling weary and gloomy, lacking motivation
  • Increases: Motivation, encouragement, hope, energy, confidence
Passion - the oil of inspiration
  • Decreases: Seriousness, feeling burdened, joylessness, self-denial
  • Increases: Inspiration, willingness to take a risk, playfulness, spontaneity, creativeness
Peace - the oil of reassurance
  • Decreases: Control, excess attachment, fear, anxiousness
  • Increases: Peace, serenity, content, ability to be still, goodness and grace
Wild Orange - the oil of abundance
  • Decreases: Feelings of scarcity, overseriousness, workaholism, low energy, discouragement
  • Increases: Abundance, humour, playfulness, generosity, spontaneity, creativeness, joy in life

Remember if you made a mistake and procrastinated. It’s not the end of the world. Take a deep breath and ask yourself “What can I do to move forward?”

Get more Healthy Lifestyle Tips to help you live younger, healthier, longer in my Face Book GroupCheck it out HERE

Blessings for Health, Joy & Laughter,
Kathy


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