3 Reasons You Procrastinate Your Health (and 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t)

You keep meaning to schedule that check-up. Get back to the gym. Finally eat something green. But somehow, your health always ends up on tomorrow’s to-do list.

Sound familiar?

“Procrastination is incredibly common when it comes to health,” says Michael O’Neill, MD, primary care provider with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. “We tell ourselves it’s not urgent, that we’ll get to it later — until something forces us to act.”

So why do we keep putting it off? And more importantly, why shouldn’t we? Here’s what might be getting in your way.

1. You feel fine — so what’s the rush?

If you aren’t in any pain and everything seems to feel fine, it’s easy to assume you’re in good health.

But many serious conditions — like high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer — show up without obvious warning signs.

“Preventive care is called that for a reason,” says Dr. O’Neill. “The goal is to catch issues early, before they become serious.”

Why you shouldn’t wait: Routine check-ups, screenings and bloodwork can uncover silent problems long before they impact your daily life. The earlier you catch them, the easier they are to treat.

> Related: 3 Ways Your Primary Care Provider Keeps You Healthy 

2. You’re busy, and health feels like one more chore.

Between work, family, errands and everything else, who has time to think about fiber intake or cholesterol levels?

If life already feels overwhelming, taking care of your health can seem impossible.

But here’s the truth: “When you’re healthy, you show up better for everything else,” says Dr. O’Neill. “So by staying on top of your health and showing up to those routine appointments, the rest of your life might start to feel a lot more manageable.”

Why you shouldn’t wait: Investing a little time now can save you time, money and stress down the road. Whether it’s a quick physical or adding a walk to your lunch break, small steps can make a big impact.

3. You’re afraid of what you’ll find.

This is a big one. If you’re afraid of what you might find, it can be tempting to keep pushing off appointments.

But it’s a dangerous cycle. The longer you avoid that appointment, the more likely you are to find something.

“Fear keeps a lot of people from seeking care,” says Dr. O’Neill. “But ignoring a health problem doesn’t make it go away. And in most cases, getting answers sooner gives you more options — and better outcomes.”

Why you shouldn’t wait: Information is power. Whether it’s a diagnosis or reassurance, knowing where you stand helps you take action. And remember: You don’t have to face it alone.

> Related: Are These Three Misconceptions Keeping You from Seeing a Primary Care Provider? 

Your health doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be a priority.

If you’ve been putting off that appointment, skipping your meds or avoiding lifestyle changes, consider this your sign to stop waiting. Take one small step today — whether you schedule a check-up, go for a walk, or drink a glass of water. It all counts.

“Procrastination is human, but so is resilience and it’s never too late to start taking better care of your health.”

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