People may avoid work to escape uncomfortable emotions, says psychology
Choosing social media or videos over tasks can be a way of managing feelings like anxiety or boredom, according to research.
Psychology suggests that individuals who choose to scroll through social media, chat, or watch videos instead of starting work may be avoiding the discomfort associated with beginning a task, according to a report by The Times of India.
Rather than being a result of laziness or a lack of discipline, this behaviour can be a method of managing short-term unpleasant emotions. These feelings may include boredom, anxiety, frustration, or a fear of performing poorly.
Psychologists Fuschia Sirois and Timothy Pychyl explored this emotional aspect of procrastination in a 2013 paper. They noted that people often select activities that provide immediate relief from tasks that feel unpleasant, even if it causes issues later.
A 2019 review on the cognitive processes and neural foundations of procrastination also examined how people weigh immediate rewards against future benefits. When a task feels difficult, the brain may favour activities that offer instant pleasure.
A 2021 review further discussed how avoidance serves as a way to deal with work-related difficulties. This occurs when a person is unsure how to approach a task or feels overwhelmed by the volume of work required.
To address this, experts suggest starting with just five minutes of work, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and keeping phones out of reach. Identifying whether a task feels stressful or boring can also help in addressing the underlying cause of avoidance.