A word all students know far too well, procrastination can apply to just about anything. If it’s staying on the couch a little longer than you intended or clearing the fridge of last week’s leftovers, I think everyone can say that they’ve procrastinated before. For such a common activity, procrastination is made out to be an extremely unproductive phenomenon. But what if we made it productive? Here are 5 ways procrastination can be beneficial in your day-to-day life.
- Cleaning
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Cleaning, especially when you’re putting off that course reading you don’t want to do or the assignment that’s been lurking in the back of your mind, can be really therapeutic and satisfying. Whether it be tidying up your room or doing a deep kitchen clean, polishing up your home environment will greatly influence how productive you feel even if you don’t end up checking off every box on your to-do list.
- Planning
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Sitting down to write out all of your dates for the week, or even just your goals for the day ahead is an incredibly satisfying and beneficial way to pass time if you’re not ready to sit down and grind out the hard stuff just yet. Planning is a relatively low-energy task that gets you into the grove while simultaneously giving you a long-term vision of your goals and short-term motivation.
- Journaling
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Taking some time out of your day to write in your journal can evoke an unfiltered version of what you’re feeling, and allows you to actually materialize your thoughts in a reflective way. Whether the journaling session takes you three minutes or 30 minutes, writing down anything that comes to mind can keep your brain sharp, reduce stress, and strengthen your mental health.
- Going On a Walk
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Especially in the middle of a pandemic, it can be hard to get your daily dose of fresh air and vitamin D. Taking some extra time to go on a walk before you start conquering that to-do list can give you a change in environment and an opportunity to see people (in a COVID-friendly way), and it’s an amazing way to clear your head. Plugging in some music, and soaking up the sunshine is a great way to start your day.
- Having a Dance Party
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Whether you’re alone or with your roommates, a good ol’ dance party never fails to provide some much-needed form of entertainment and joy. Even if you aren’t the best dancer, getting the juices flowing, and shaking off the stress is a great way to release any pent-up emotions you might have accumulated throughout the week.