Procrastination: A Cry for Help, Not Just Laziness

Procrastination Nov 9, 2025

The unsent email, the unstarted project destined for “tomorrow” – we’ve all felt the pull of procrastination. But according to Dr. Neelesh Tiwari, not just poor time management but emotional distress hides in those delays.

Procrastination: A Self-Reinforcing Cycle

Dr. Tiwari, of World Brain Center Hospital, explains that procrastination often signifies underlying emotional issues. It’s not laziness; it’s an emotional regulation problem. The temporary comfort of “I’ll do it later” grows into guilt and stress, creating a persistent cycle. According to India Today, understanding this emotional basis is crucial.

Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Self-Doubt: The Hidden Triggers

Anxiety can transform trivial tasks into insurmountable challenges. Avoidance ensures safety from failure, preserving self-worth even as a deadline looms perilously. Similarly, perfectionism paralyzes progress, safeguarding projects in unending potential rather than achieving tangible completion.

Procrastination and Mental Health Signals

Distinguishing mere sluggishness from deeper issues is vital. Dr. Tiwari highlights emotional paralysis as a symptom of disorders like anxiety, depression, or ADHD. This isn’t a battle against laziness; it’s confronting emotional barriers that worsen mental health conditions.

Procrastination’s Physical Toll

Chronic procrastination perpetually triggers stress, maintaining heightened cortisol levels and affecting sleep. Over time, this emotionally tumultuous existence results in fatigue, burnout, and volatile moods, pushing both mind and body toward exhaustion.

Therapy: Breaking the Procrastination Cycle

Dr. Tiwari advises that unlocking procrastination’s roots through therapy, not productivity hacks, holds the key. Techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) help dismantle self-doubt and fears that drive procrastination. Self-compassion becomes a powerful ally, transforming “I can’t” into mere logistical details, not insurmountable barriers.

From ‘Procrastinator’ to ‘Progress Maker’

Dr. Tiwari asserts that shifting focus to connecting tasks with deeper values can transform burdens into alignment with personal goals. His advice: Start with the small, embrace self-compassion, and release self-criticism for significant change.

In the end, beating procrastination isn’t about increased output but understanding its emotional roots and reigniting the drive to start anew. Forgiveness breaks the cycle of shame, opening pathways to genuine progress.