In the context of World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on October 10, Hospiten opens a space for reflection on a habit that often goes unnoticed, but can significantly affect our emotional wellbeing: procrastination.
Procrastination is the act of deliberately postponing or putting off important tasks or matters, despite being aware that this can have negative consequences. In other words, "procrastination comes from not knowing how to deal with the discomfort we feel when we have to do something," says Silvia Morales, a psychologist in the child, adolescent and adult area of Hospiten Roca Hospital.
This discomfort can be encouraged for various reasons. It is a complex interaction of emotional and psychological factors that lead to avoidance. According to Morales: "It is often fear of failure, anxiety, depression, low motivation, lack of enthusiasm, low self-esteem, perfectionism? Procrastination is not just laziness or laziness".
This procrastination is a brain response. "Our brain is avoiding discomfort. That is, it is activating our immediate reward system. The mini rewards that we gain by watching social networks, videos or eating sweets are immediate rewards that cause our brain to avoid those things that we are more lazy about or that cost us more to accomplish. This response has a scientific explanation. The amygdala, which is in charge of fear and anxiety control, is over-activated when something is perceived as a threat. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control, begins to deactivate. Then, the brain tends to do what is easy and pleasurable," the psychologist explains.
According to the Hospiten Roca professional, "procrastinating is not poor time management, but poor emotional management". To reduce this emotional mismanagement, it is advisable to divide tasks, for example, into small steps, set deadlines for tasks, eliminate distractions such as social networks, start tasks despite not feeling like it, or change the environment, keeping it organized and free of objects that can serve as distractions.
Similarly, the psychologist recommends to stop believing in those limiting thoughts that the brain sends us: "you are not good for that, you are incapable or you have no willpower" and start talking to yourself from the affection, as well as finding the purpose or meaning of life. "We have to do what is easy to do, what when we do it, time flies by. This is what excites us, what we are good at, something that is innate. In short, that which we were born to do, that which makes us feel happy doing it".
Therefore, the psychologist advises to look within oneself to detect the purpose, thus finding motivation and enthusiasm and fulfilling one of the basic needs of human beings: the need for self-realization. "We can't wait until we feel like doing something because the brain doesn't work that way. Overexertion or obligation is the first step. This is how you acquire the habit that allows you to continue. After the effort or overexertion, comes the illusion and motivation. Therefore, this is necessary in order not to leave open the door to inoperativeness, apathy or reluctance. In short, procrastination," he concludes.
This article is an English translation generated with Al from the original Spanish content. While we review content for clarity, the information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment