The Science Behind Procrastination

We all know that feeling. Having an assignment due in a couple hours that you’ve had all week

to do but have not started. This phenomenon is known as procrastination and affects millions of

students and workers all across the globe. It’s not just limited to students and workers though.

Everybody procrastinates whether it be procrastinating going to the grocery store, a doctor's

appointment or whatever other obligation a person may have. What is more prevalent is that

procrastination is becoming even more of an epidemic and it once was. Nearly 75% of college

students are repeat and habitual procrastinators which can lead to issues such as stress, anxiety,

and lack of sleep. This poses the question: why do people procrastinate, and what can they do to

stop this behavior?

According to Sharon Greene who specializes in treating anxiety and

depression at Providence St. John’s Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica

California, procrastination results from a struggle between a person's limbic system and

prefrontal cortex of the brain. She states that “Your limbic system is an older part of the brain

that is automatic and seeks out pleasure and/ or avoids things that cause distress,” whereas “Your

prefrontal cortex is a newer part of the brain that helps with planning, decision-making, and

long-term goals. We all suffer at times from procrastination due to these fighting structures in our

brains.” A recent study by Dr. Bill Hudenko may further prove Dr. Greenes point. He found that

people who are habitual and repeat procrastinators have a larger amygdala which is the part of

the brain responsible for emotions, primarily feelings of anxiety and stress. The real issue

becomes the development of disorders such as anxiety. Procrastination can cause unnecessary

stressors on people's lives and this state of constant stress and distress can lead to anxiety disorder. Procrastination can also be caused due to chemical imbalances caused by mental illnesses such as ADHD which lead to a lack of dopamine sent to the prefrontal cortex.