Anxiety is a normal emotion and a healthy reaction to stress. Psychology Today explains that anxiety can present in a variety of ways, one of which is the procrastination of important tasks. Procrastination is defined as “the action of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for doing so.” Anxiety-fueled procrastination could be caused by several underlying reasons (e.g., feeling overwhelmed, fear of failure, maintaining high standards that are impossible to achieve, etc.). This type of procrastination can progress to the point that it severely impacts one’s life. Consider the following strategies to help you cope with and overcome your anxiety-induced procrastination:
- Practice healthy daily habits: taking care of your body can improve your mental health and reduce anxiety. Be sure to exercise regularly, obtain ample nightly sleep, eat nutritiously, stay hydrated, etc.
- Explore different relaxation tactics: try different mindfulness exercises like yoga or meditation. Research has found that meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, and more.
- Stay social: people that maintain social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network.
- Set attainable goals: although there are benefits to aiming high, when we set unrealistic goals, we are often met with failure, which can perpetuate anxiety-induced procrastination. Set reachable goals that enable you to succeed and boost your confidence.
- Break it down: instead of trying to tackle a large project all at once, try breaking it down into smaller, manageable, and targeted tasks.
- Create a positive connotation to completing tasks: reward yourself for your accomplishments.
- Prioritize your time: there are a limited number of hours in the day, so it is best to take care of the most important things that you must do first.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself permission to make some mistakes. Learning different ways to manage anxiety-induced procrastination will help you become more productive and ultimately improve your quality of life.
For Information and Support
Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times. Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.
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