Time Orientation & Health 2

Common self-regulatory problem involving the unnecessary and voluntary delay of important intended tasks despite the recognition that this delay may have negative consequences

A temporally bound behaviour that has consequences not only for the present self, but also the future self (Sirois & Pychyl, 2013).

Priority of short-term mood regulation is central to understanding procrastination.

Procrastination occurs for tasks that are: boring, frustrating, lacking meaning and/or structure

Switching to more pleasureable/rewarding immediate tasks as a means to cope.

Emotional distress --> regulation of immediate mood is prioritised over taking instrumental action towards achieving goals

"Giving in to feel good" (Tice & Bratlavsky, 2000).

Past self: makes intention to act --> does not

Puts onus on future self to do so

Past future self is now the present self

Present self has to deal with the unfinished task

Present self: believes future self can take care of it, puts it off, and so on... (Sirois & Pychyl, 2013).

Poor intertemporal choices

Feeling less connected to our future self is associated with less practice of health promoting behaviours. 

Stress-initiated cognitive shifts orient focus away from distal and towards more immediate concerns (Sirois, 2014).

Activation of brain areas involved in threat detection (classic fight or flight or freeze response, or Goleman's amygdala hijack).

The stress associated with procrastination has implications for the practice of health behaviours and physical health