Understanding Work Anxiety: Procrastination as a Common Symptom

Procrastination
Spread the love

Misconception of laziness for procrastination at work belies its prevalent manifestation as the commonplace anxiety expression.

When threats are perceived by the system in the workplace, procrastination is usually a common outcome due to its critical role that it plays in how we respond to stress in our nervous system.

This article discusses the relationship between anxiety, nervous system and procrastination thus helping to uncover what lies beneath this disabling habit and how to overcome it.

The Influence of Nervous System

Cathy Ranieri, a psychotherapist based in Chicago states that people don’t consider enough about how our nervous system works on a daily basis – especially at work.

The nervous system assesses such overwhelming feelings or anxiousness about jobs as possible threats which lead to various reactions from individuals.

Freeze response is responsible for most cases of procrastination associated with energy preservation since they are living under constant threat.

Procrastination as an Avoidance Mechanism

Procrastination is an untreated anxiety symptom serving as a way of coping through avoidance.

Experts claim that although it may seem like you chose this approach knowing full well that it’s counterproductive, it can eventually worsen anxiety.

According to Jordan White who is a licensed clinical social worker, procrastination occurs when anxiety triggers flight response making people stay away from tasks due to their deep-rooted concerns including fear of failure or incompetence.

The Vicious Cycle

Putting off tasks might seem like a good idea for a while, but the momentary relief can soon give way to heightened stress as deadlines loom and workloads pile up. Involuntary procrastination arises out of the perception of an anticipated danger.

The effect is not limited only to delay in productivity. When people continue putting off things, anxiety increases resulting into what we call freeze.

This state is characterized by reduced motivation, increased tiredness, and loss of hope. The combined effect lowers overall productivity and worsens the difficulties encountered in managing occupational demands.

Addressing Procrastination Anxiety

Experts have suggested several strategies for breaking free from the cycle of procrastinating and worrying at work:

1. Create a Schedule

A weekly schedule helps individuals manage time and avoid putting off tasks. For instance, Jordan White says that with a schedule one will not have room to procrastinate which is a more structured way of doing tasks.

2. Take Strategic Breaks

Stepping away from something and coming back later with fresh eyes can make it less overwhelming.

Taking breaks when they are most needed helps people regain their focus so that they can approach tasks with renewed vigor thus minimizing the likelihood of procrastination.

3. Start with Small Tasks

Dividing bigger projects into smaller ones makes it possible for people to achieve ‘small victories and gain momentum.

Besides, this shifts the nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance, resulting in ease and competence.

4. Tackle the Most Challenging Task First

Another way is by facing the hardest job first thereby denying individuals any chance to postpone it.

Accomplishing the most dreaded work at the beginning may lead to a sense of achievement making other activities appear easier.

5. Be Kind to Yourself

Thinking harshly about oneself like saying “I’m lazy” or “I’m worthless” enhances threat state instead of decreasing it.

It is important to practice self-compassion whereby individuals should talk kindly to themselves rather than criticizing themselves harshly for their conditions as well as foster supportive internal conversations.

It is important to understand the connection between work anxiety, the nervous system, and procrastination in order to interrupt this avoidant pattern.

By putting in place preventive measures, individuals can reclaim their productivity levels, decrease their stress levels while at the same time fostering a healthy workplace atmosphere.

The initial step towards creating a more sympathetic and practical way of addressing workplace problems is to diagnose procrastination as a sign rather than an act of volition.

Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/procrastination-work-reason-anxiety_l_642ef16ae4b05cef00c7feee



Spread the love
  • Study Reveals Links Between Mental Disorders And Hoarding Behavior

    Researchers explore the link between mental disorders related to attention…

  • Researchers Discover Neurons Associated With Competitiveness In The Brain

    Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study the neurocognitive…

  • Researchers Reconstruct Past Scents From Historical Records

    Researchers provide a sneak peek into the smells of ancient…

  • Newly Launched “Happiness India Project” Aims To Make India Happier

    Happiness India Project, a non-profit initiative, is launched to help…

  • Study Provides Insight Into The Benefits Of Meaningful Conversations

    Researchers at the American Psychological Association reveal the benefits of…

  • New Study Provides Insight Into The Benefits Of Socializing In The Older Populace

    Researchers provide insight into the benefits of socializing and improved…

  • Mental Health In The Post-COVID World Trickles Down To One Thing: Emotional Intelligence

    Experts recommend strategies fostering emotional intelligence to maintain mental health…

  • Research Provides Insight Into Brain Activity During Intimate Partner Aggression

    Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University explored the brain activity associated…

  • Spousal Education Has A Great Impact On Wellness, Study Reveals

    Researchers at the Indiana University explored how spousal education influences…

  • Agreeableness Makes You Personally And Professionally Successful, Study Reveals

    Researchers look into agreeableness and how the personality trait impacts…

  • Mental Health Issues In Indian Prisons Are At An All-Time High

    With a surge in mental health issues in jails across…

  • Research Provides Insight Into The Psychology Of Parental Alienation

    A study published in the journal Personal Relationships brings awareness…

  • How Did The COVID-19 Pandemic Affect The Mental Health Of Students?

    Experts look to online education and career counselling to better…

  • Depressed Mothers Increase Risk Of Clinical Depression In Their Children, Study Finds

    Emerging research shows how a maternal history of clinical depression…

  • Study Reveals The Heart Benefits Of Exercise In People With Depression And Anxiety

    Researchers at the American College of Cardiology assessed the heart…

  • Men, Not Women, Feel More Emotional Pain After A Breakup: Study Reveals

    A study conducted at Lancaster University reveals the differences between…

  • Study Reveals How Functional Regions Of The Human Brain Are Connected

    American researchers revealed how information gets processed in the interconnected…

  • Is India Facing An Epidemic of Smartphone Addiction?

    Research shows India’s skyrocketing rates of smartphone addiction, forcing experts…

  • Teaching Children About Sharing Memories Make Them More Sensitive And Responsive, Research Claims

    Researchers from the University of Otago show how teaching children…

  • How Can Video Games Help With Mental Health?

    Research shows that video games play a positive role in…

  • Study Reveals How Early Experiences Are Linked To Adult Neurological Disorders

    A team of researchers at the Ohio State University explored…

  • Study Reveals How Certain Neurons In The Brain Respond To Singing

    Study Reveals How Certain Neurons In The Brain Respond To Singing

    Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have explored…

  • Research Links Obesity To Childhood Trauma

    Research Links Obesity To Childhood Trauma

    American researchers explore the link between obesity, genetics, and childhood…

  • People Can Be Trained To Be Creative, Study Finds

    People Can Be Trained To Be Creative, Study Finds

    A group of American researchers explores how the narrative method…

  • Coloring Digital Mandalas Can Improve Your Mental Health, Study Says

    Coloring Digital Mandalas Can Improve Your Mental Health, Study Says

    Researchers at Lancaster University are digitally transforming the art of…

  • Is Playing Wordle An Effective Brain Workout?

    Experts explain how the latest word-game app, Wordle, improves our…