Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Why do we procrastinate when it comes to our health?


Since becoming a Health Coach, I have noticed the following 5 reasons why most people delay taking steps toward improving their health. Do any of these resonate with you? Sometimes just understanding what is standing in your way will help you begin to take action.

1) " I DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND TOOLS TO BE HEALTHY"
When people do not feel that they have the ability to perform tasks related to their health, such as lack of recipes, inability to understand food labels, which diet is best for me, they often avoid taking charge of their health because they feel overwhelmed by a lack of skills. Often hiring a professional, like a health coach can help you solve your "skills" problem.

2) "IT'S BORING"
When you are not interested in reading health books, surfing the web for recipes, exercising, one solution is to procrastinate and just not do it. But a solution might be to "just do it" so you have more guilt-free time.

3) "I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT"
People procrastinate and think something is wrong with them if they are not motivated to begin a task. Believing you have to feel motivated to begin a task has the order reversed. Starting the task is the motivator. Sometimes just taking the first step, no matter how small will serve as the motivator to take future action.

4) "FEAR OF FAILURE"
If I really try and fail that is worse than if I don't try at all. Oftentimes the fear of failure is based on perfectionism. Sometimes unrealistic standards are the problem.

5) "FEAR OF SUCCESS"
Sometimes procrastination is because you are fearful of the consequences of your achievement. If you do well, maybe more will then be expected of you.

Based on information from the Oregon State University Success Center

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