When you have an especially difficult or stressful task on your plate, it can be very tempting to avoid completing said task. Or if you don’t like to think about a subject because of an experience, it can seem easier to just not think about that topic. Both of these situations are known as avoidance, and though it may be tempting to engage in this behavior, it causes more stress than it relieves.
You Won’t Stop Thinking About It
If you’ve ever experienced trauma, it can be tempting to avoid all thoughts of things that may remind you of the trauma you experienced. Although this may be less painful in the short run, the truth is, long term, this will stress you out more because the thoughts of your trauma will always return until you genuinely learn to deal with them rather than avoid them. The same holds for certain physical tasks. You may put them off because you don’t want to think about them, but this will only stress you out more because you will have to keep thinking about the task instead of simply completing it now.
You’ll Run Out Of Time
When you put off a task, you may momentarily relieve your stress by telling yourself you will complete the task later. But this is worse than doing the job now because later you will experience more pressure as you are faced with a fast-approaching deadline. This is especially true if you haven’t left yourself enough time to complete the task and have to rush at the last minute.
Avoidance Creates Conflict
Maybe a coworker is waiting for you to complete your work so they can get started on theirs. And if you didn’t leave yourself enough time before the deadline, you may cause them to be late on meeting their deadline as well. This can cause a conflict between you as your coworker may be upset that you made them late. And when you experience conflict in your relationships, this only adds to your overall stress level rather than lowering it.
Avoiding difficult or stressful tasks is a natural tendency for many people. However, avoiding these tasks can lead to increased anxiety and stress in the long run. It can also lead to missed opportunities and a lack of personal growth. This is because avoidance doesn’t solve any problems. Instead, it just creates conflict, which leads to increased stress in the future.
Here are some tips on how to stop avoiding difficult or stressful tasks:
- Break the task down into smaller steps
One of the reasons why people avoid difficult or stressful tasks is that they seem overwhelming. Breaking the task down into smaller steps can make it more manageable and less intimidating. This approach can also help you to focus on each individual step, rather than on the overall task.
- Set achievable goals
Setting achievable goals is a key to success when it comes to tackling difficult or stressful tasks. Instead of focusing on the end goal, focus on what you can do today to move closer to that goal. Setting small, achievable goals can help you to stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Use positive self-talk
Positive self-talk can be a powerful tool when it comes to overcoming stress and anxiety. Instead of telling yourself that you can’t do something or that it’s too difficult, try reframing your thoughts in a more positive way. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do this,” say “This is challenging, but I can figure it out.”
- Practice mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help you to stay focused and present when tackling difficult or stressful tasks. It can also help you to manage any negative thoughts or emotions that arise. Taking a few deep breaths or practicing a short meditation before starting a task can help to calm your mind and reduce stress.
- Seek support
Seeking support from friends, family, or colleagues can help to alleviate stress and anxiety. Talking through your concerns with someone you trust can help you to gain a new perspective on the situation and feel more confident about tackling the task at hand.
Remember that it’s okay to ask for help and take breaks when needed. With persistence and patience, you can overcome your avoidance tendencies and develop a more proactive and productive approach to difficult or stressful tasks.
