Skip to main content

Creative bursts don’t happen continuously, but when they do, it’s a really good feeling. These random bursts of innovation sometimes lead us to our largest successes in life. Do we need more of them, please? Procrastination, we all have this familiar friend in our lives. You might find every reason to delay phoning people, completing tasks, or meeting deadlines. However, just because we procrastinate, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad thing.

Let’s talk about whether procrastinating might bring us some kind of advantage. There must be some reason behind why we all do it. It can’t all be bad. Yet when we allow procrastination to rule us, it can hold us back from being productive and reaching our full potential.

There are some studies available that talk about procrastination and what it means. They describe it as a coping mechanism where we delay the inevitable consequences of getting a task done, whether they’re good or bad. Many people think procrastinating is a bad thing because it makes everything take a lot longer and adds to your stress levels.

Therefore, many people live their lives avoiding procrastination at all costs because if they do it for a bit, the job will never get done! It’s always tricky prioritizing what’s important and getting over the stresses of achieving your goals or tasks. However, doing this allows you complete control over your life.Β 

So why are we having this discussion? Here’s the thing. If we never procrastinated about anything, then we would be rushing into every decision or action without much thought behind it. That leaves too much room for mistakes and unnecessary work.

Creative Bursts and Procrastination

Let’s take a closer look. Logically, there has got to be a reason why all humans struggle to avoid procrastinating. It can’t be because we are just lazy. It’s got to be some kind of way to force u to slow things down and reflect or strategize before pouncing.

creative bursts [longevity live

Thankfully, there are some studies that evaluate the effects of procrastination on health and productivity, as well as some instances in which procrastination may prove helpful. I think we can all agree, that when we think of procrastination we think that it’s a time-waster. In addition, procrastinating too much can make us look and feel unorganized, messy, and unable to complete tasks in advance.

The problem with allowing yourself to procrastinate too much is that it often leads to ridiculously high-stress levels. You’ll end up going down a slippery slope. And when you fail to complete important tasks, you start to blame yourself and shower yourself with lots of self-critique and hate.

Anxiety And Fear

Studies done in psychological science state that the people who are most likely to keep on procrastinating seem to have a larger amygdala than non-procrastinators.

Experts state that the amygdala is a brain region that plays a crucial role in the regulation of emotions, particularly processing anxiety and fear. Therefore, procrastination can also be a good thing. These people with a larger amygdalas have the ability to recognize their past mistakes which prevents them from doing them again. This is what causes worry and hesitation in certain people when it comes to decision-making.

creative bursts [longevity live

Let’s face it, the main reason most of us procrastinate is that we don’t want to face that particular situation or task. Even if you knew that you’d benefit by getting it done straight away. The accumulation of unfinished tasks can lead to lots of stress, poor productivity levels, and mental health.

Are There Any Benefits?

As I said, creative bursts might happen because of procrastination.

However, other researchers believe that procrastination is not entirely devoid of benefits. You don’t only get just one kind of procrastination. Sometimes the outcome of holding back can be very good.

Experts on Medical News Today state that there are two types of procrastinators:

  • Passive procrastinators do not intend to delay solving a task. But they still do so because they are unable ‘to make decisions quickly and […] act on them quickly.’
  • Active procrastinators purposefully delay task-solving. They prefer to work under pressure because it allows them to ‘feel challenged and motivated.’

The study explains that although active procrastinators may plan their activities in an organized manner, they do not restrict themselves to following a pre-planned schedule or time structure. Therefore, these kinds of people are more flexible with their decision-making and solve problems as they happen. In other words, active procrastinators may have more flexibly structured time and are more sensitive to changing demands in their environment.

This Is A Boost For Creativity

Psychologist Adam Grant, from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, says it can boost creativity. He says people who ‘put off’ solving a task for a little while usually have more original ideas for solving certain tasks. Whereas those who got to the work straight away have less creative bursts.

creative bursts [longevity live

Grant believes thatprocrastination is a vice when it comes to productivity. However, it can be a virtue when it comes to creativity.’ In addition, existing studies also show a link between creativity and “putting things off.”

Creative bursts happen like this because we give ourselves time for the issue to run around our minds first. Doing this before acting gives you better ideas. Boredom might also play a role here. Fair enough, it’s not always a good thing, but when we are bored, we have the ability to create better. It gives us something to do with our time. Letting the mind wander is the best way to imagine more effectively. Procrastinating regularly is not always good. But focused procrastination will be beneficial. It might even allow you to assess the task at hand more imaginatively.

If you struggle with getting things done. Maybe it’s because you need to focus on getting creative.

Skye Mallon

Skye Mallon

Skye is a Holistic Lifestyle Blogger, Entrepreneur and Movement Instructor. She loves changing people's lives and believes you should always strive to be your best! Her brand, Skyezee FashionFit pty (LTD) shares the latest in well-fashion, conscious living, and daily movement. She wants to help others achieve a happy balance by sustaining a conscious, longevous lifestyle. She shares content that helps others tap into the intricacies of our bodies, environments, feelings, and minds.

Skye knows how you feel and is here to help! She wants to help you live happier, longer and more fulfilled lives that we know will make some kind of positive or meaningful impact. Visit Website

The mind, body, and soul must connect.

She specializes in mixed movement classes including her very own Jump Rope HIIT, boxing-inspired workout called Jump Fit. Moreover, she teaches a Skyezee Movement class which includes elements from yoga, martial arts, and dance.

She has a keen interest in high-quality, activewear apparel and represents different brands. Lastly, she believes that the best results are achieved by doing something you love! The point is to have fun, explore and move more, eat good food and get outside of your comfort zone.

Book Skye's Paradise Adventure Retreat in Watamu, Kenya February 2020.
Start the Jump Fit Program
Follow the Skyezee FashionFit Blog
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion at LISOF.
Jump Rope HIIT Coach and Professional Jump Roper
Pilates Teacher Training Certificate.
Budokon Yoga and Mixed Martial Arts Enthusiast and aspiring Teacher/Yogi.

Longevity Live is a digital publisher AND DOES NOT OFFER PERSONAL HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE STARTING ANY NUTRITION, DIET, EXERCISE, FITNESS, MEDICAL, OR WELLNESS PROGRAM.

This content, developed through collaboration with licensed medical professionals and external contributors, including text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (β€œContent”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, procedure, or treatment, whether it is a prescription medication, over-the-counter drug, vitamin, supplement, or herbal alternative.

Longevity Live makes no guarantees about the efficacy or safety of products or treatments described in any of our posts. Any information on supplements, related services and drug information contained in our posts are subject to change and are not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Longevity does not recommend or endorse any specific test, clinician, clinical care provider, product, procedure, opinion, service, or other information that may be mentioned on Longevity’s websites, apps, and Content.