Health

Why do some people procrastinate more than others?

By Mallika Marshall, MD

October 24, 2022 / 5:39 PM EDT / CBS Boston

HealthWatch: Toxicity in the workplace; studying procrastination

BOSTON - We all procrastinate from time to time, but some more than others. Why?

It's estimated that about 75% of college students and 20% of adults are habitual procrastinators.

Medical News Today asked a number of experts why, and one reason given is a struggle between regions of the brain that seek pleasure and try to avoid stress and those involved with planning and decision-making.

People with anxiety or depression may feel paralyzed with fear, despair, and perfectionism, and may have slower processing speeds.

People with ADHD often have problems focusing and may be unaware of an upcoming deadline until it's too late.

However, procrastination is not always a bad thing.

For example, you are exercising good judgment when you put something on the back burner to prioritize something else that is more important. Or choosing to do something pleasurable before doing a task may be better for your mental health and allow you to bring greater energy and clarity when you finally tackle that task.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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