Just Live Podcast with Dan & Suzie

Just Live Podcast 029 - How Procrastination & Stress Effects Your Mind & Body

March 02, 2023 Season 1 Episode 29
Just Live Podcast with Dan & Suzie
Just Live Podcast 029 - How Procrastination & Stress Effects Your Mind & Body
Show Notes

Just Live Podcast 029 - How Procrastination & Stress Effects Your Mind & Body
By Dan & Suzie Potter

Stress and procrastination are closely connected. We have found this to be true in our lives.

When we experience stress, our body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can interfere with our ability to think clearly and make decisions. This can make it more difficult to focus on tasks and can lead to procrastination.

Additionally, when we feel stressed, we may feel overwhelmed or anxious about the tasks we need to complete. This can cause us to avoid the tasks and put them off, leading to procrastination.

Procrastination, in turn, can also increase stress levels. When we put off tasks, we may feel guilty or anxious about not getting things done.

This can cause us to feel even more stressed and can create a cycle of procrastination and stress. Procrastination causes stress and stress causes us to procrastinate.

When we experience stress, our body's "fight or flight" response is triggered. This response is meant to protect us in dangerous situations by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. However, when this response is activated too frequently or for too long, it can have negative effects on our physical and mental health.

One way that stress can affect our ability to focus and make decisions is by interfering with our prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for executive functions like planning, decision-making, and impulse control. When cortisol levels are elevated (when we have stress), the prefrontal cortex can become less active, making it more difficult to think clearly and make decisions.

This can make it harder to start or complete tasks, leading to procrastination. In fact, research has shown that high levels of stress are associated with increased procrastination behavior.

Procrastination, in turn, can also increase stress levels. When we put off tasks, we may feel guilty or anxious about not getting things done. This can cause us to feel even more stressed and can create a cycle of procrastination and stress.

To break this cycle, it's important to find ways to manage stress and to develop strategies for overcoming procrastination. This may include taking breaks to relax and recharge, practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness, using time-management techniques to prioritize tasks and break them down into smaller, more manageable steps, and seeking support from others (friends, family, or a mental health professional) when needed.

By managing stress and taking steps to overcome procrastination, we can improve our productivity and reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. This, in turn, can help us lead healthier and a more FULLY ALIVE LIFE. Listen to our "Just Live Podcast with Dan & Suzie" episode 022 - 29 for more personal unpacking of your MOMENTUM

If you need support in finding freedom from stress or procrastination, let's chat (contact us in any of the ways we are connected or at DUZIE.com).  We invite you into our new "MOMENTUM CHALLENGE 90" (a 90-day program to breathe life into your desire) which will decrease both your stress & procrastination.

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