Understanding Procrastination: A Physiological Response

Procrastination can be understood as a physiological reaction to perceived threats, whether real or imagined. This insight reveals that one's brain may react to stressors without conscious awareness, leading to either excessive activation or lethargy. The nervous system operates with a binary switch system: the sympathetic response, associated with heightened alertness and activity, and the parasympathetic response, linked to relaxation and inactivity. Individuals can become stuck in either response, experiencing hyperactivity with distractions like cleaning rather than completing tasks, or lethargy characterized by fatigue and lack of motivation. Recognizing that these states are involuntary can empower individuals to address procrastination without needing to identify specific triggers.