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Procrastination may harm your health. Here’s what you can do

Scientists have linked procrastination to a panoply of poor outcomes. But there’s hope

A woman representing procrastination as he slumps against a desk with her head in her hand and a pile of colored pencils in front of her.

Scientists estimate that some 20 percent of adults are chronic procrastinators. A little self-compassion might help.

Henrik Sorensen/DigitalVision/Getty Images

By Meghan Rosen

The worst procrastinators probably won’t be able to read this story. It’ll remind them of what they’re trying to avoid, psychologist Piers Steel says.

Maybe they’re dragging their feet going to the gym. Maybe they haven’t gotten around to their New Year’s resolutions. Maybe they’re waiting just one more day to study for that test.