Why procrastination is about managing emotions, not time

Why procrastination is about managing emotions, not time Getty Images Address the real reasons you procrastinate and you’re more likely to start achieving your goals. It’s perhaps little wonder that research by Fuschia Sirois has shown chronic procrastination – that is, being inclined to procrastinate on a regular, long-term basis – is associated with a host of adverse mental and physical health consequences, including anxiety and depression, poor health such as colds and flu, and even more serious conditions like cardiovascular disease. Getty Images Researchers say procrastinating helps us feel better when certain tasks fill us with negative emotions – if they are too difficult or boring, say Sirois believes procrastination has these adverse consequences through two routes – first, it’s stressful to keep putting off important tasks and failing to fulfil your goals, and second, the procrastination often involves delaying important health behaviours, such as taking up exercise or visiting the doctor. ‘Just get started’ On a positive note, if procrastination is an emotional regulation issue, this offers important clues for how to address it most effectively. “When someone finally recognises that procrastination isn’t a time management problem but is instead an emotion regulation problem, then they are ready to embrace my favourite tip,” says Pychyl.