Wait, there’s no magic spell. Procrastination is part of almost everyone’s life, whether it’s founder, employee, or student! I still remember replying to my founder’s LinkedIn post, joking that procrastination was just part of my personality and that I always delayed things without a second thought. 

But did I get stuck there? Nope—because I didn’t procrastinate when it came to deleting that comment! That moment made me realize how easy it is to label ourselves as procrastinators and accept it as an unchangeable part of who we are. However, procrastination isn’t a personality trait; instead, it’s a habit that can be changed with the right strategies.

So, here we’ll discuss the causes of procrastination and share 7 tips to overcome it—these tried-and-tested strategies. We have curated them by some of our most productive team members. So, you’ll find practical insights to help you beat procrastination and make real progress!

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Causes of Procrastination

According to experts, procrastination is a self-defeating behaviour that brings short-term benefits at long-term costs. Besides, it most often results in stress. Based on a 2014 report, 20-25% of adults are chronic procrastinators. Here are 4 key causes of procrastination:

1. Lack of Interest: 

We often delay boring tasks or don’t feel excited doing them, regardless of difficulty level.

2. Self-doubts: 

Low self-esteem often causes us to delay the task as we avoid facing the consequences. Whether it’s a medical test or any new project, we try to run away from the responsibility. 

3. Chasing perfectionism: 

Fear of failure and judgment are common reasons behind procrastination. We either wait for the right moment or avoid the task with self-doubts, resulting in constant stress. 

4. Distraction: 

Everyone at least once sets time aside to complete specific tasks but spends time on other things like social media, playing games, texting, or in self-thoughts. These small yet impactful distractions take up time and lead to procrastination. 

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5. Struggling with time management: 

Not having a clear plan and proper time management can lead to doing low-priority tasks or taking up a sheer volume of work, making you feel overwhelmed. This causes delays in decisions and actions, as you are always pending with something or the other.

7 Actionable tips to beat procrastination 

As you know, the causes of procrastination. Now, let’s discuss how to stop procrastinating. Here are 7 actionable tips for beating procrastination and being more productive:

1. Set clear goals per day

Begin your day with realistic and measurable goals. Starting work without proper goals can overwhelm tasks and lead to procrastination. Set 2-3 primary tasks you want to achieve in the day.

2. Break tasks into smaller parts

Large tasks can feel intimidating, causing delays in starting. Divide them into smaller and achievable parts to reduce stress and increase focus. Rather than setting a task like “write a blog,” break it into smaller chunks like “Make blog outline and write introduction.” Small steps are easier to complete and boost motivation.  

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3. Make a to-do list before

Make a to-do list at night for the next day. Creating a task list earlier keeps your brain motivated and helps you prioritize tasks better for the next day. Besides, it eliminates decision-making time about what to do next. 

4. Use Pomodoro for time management

Working for long or uninterrupted periods is challenging and also leads to burnout. Use the Pomodoro technique to maintain focus and not feel tired quickly. In this technique, you need to set a small break of 5 to 10 minutes after each session of working 25 to 30 minutes.  There are various apps available to use this technique. 

5. Eliminate distractions

Whether it’s social media or siblings, try to eliminate distractions. Regarding phones, use different apps and in-built features like focus mode or Do Not Disturb to avoid wasting time on screen. Identifying and eliminating distractions can help you save time and be more productive. 

6. Use the two-minute rule

Small tasks are often neglected for later, leading to the piling up of several tasks, making them overwhelming. So, always do tasks that take 2 minutes or less time right away instead of scheduling them. This approach avoids adding up work and also boosts motivation. 

7. Understand your brain behavior

My sibling’s mind is most productive in the morning, while I can work better in the evening. Everyone’s brain functions differently throughout the day. By recognizing when you’re most productive, you can optimize your schedule to match your natural energy levels. This approach avoids procrastination, especially for tasks you might postpone due to emotional triggers like fear of failure or perfectionism.

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Conclusion 

Procrastination isn’t limited to professional life—it seeps into everyday tasks, like finding the best skin care products or decluttering a room. Beating procrastination starts with paying closer attention to your daily habits and making intentional changes. The tips above will improve your productivity and create a more balanced and fulfilling routine, freeing time and energy for what truly matters.

The post How to Beat Procrastination and Get Things Done appeared first on A2Z Lifestyles.

In this post, we have given you the 6 best Skincare products for dry skin trusted by experts. Read the post till the end to find an ultimate skincare routine to hydrate and glow your dry skin. 

Understanding dry skin

Dry skin is a common condition where skin feels rough, itchy, or dull. Skin dryness varies from person to person. It can be seasonal or permanent, depending upon the skin type. Dry skin occurs when your skin barrier weakens and loses moisture quickly.

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The environment, genes, skincare products, and lifestyle often cause skin dryness. Dry skin can have many signs and symptoms. Here are a few of them:

1. Your skin often feels itchy, especially when exposed to the environment.
2. You have a feeling of skin tightness.
3. Skin turns reddish (fair skin tone) or Grayish (brown or darker skin tone).
4. Your skin feels and appears rough.
5. Your face appears dull and lacks moisture.

6 Best Skincare Products for Dry Skin

Here are the 7 best Skincare products for dry skin. We have hand-picked these products based on expert advice: 

1. Face Wash: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Always pick a gentle face wash like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It doesn’t include harmful chemicals and contains hydrating ingredients like Vitamin B5 and niacinamide. It’s a trusted and tested face wash by experts. 

It’s ideal for dry and sensitive skin as it doesn’t strip the face’s natural oil. It provides hydration and protection against dryness, irritation, roughness, and tightness. 

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2. Moisturizer: Cerave Moisturizing Cream

This moisturizer contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid that hydrates your skin barrier. It’s specifically designed for dry skin to offer deep nourishment and moisturization. Cerave Moisturizing Cream is fragrance-free and approved by dermatologists.   

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3. Serum: Conscious Chemist® 5% Niacinamide

Improve overall skin texture with Conscious Chemist® Serum. This fragrance-free serum contains 2% tranexamic acid and 2% alpha arbutin with 5% niacinamide. 

Recommended by Hindustan Times, Conscious Chemist helps to restore the skin barrier and hydrate your skin. Further, the benefits of tranexamic and alpha arbutin protect your skin from UV damage and reduce pigmentation. 

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4. Toner: Klairs supple Preparation Toner

Specifically designed for dry skin, the Klairs Supple Preparation toner hydrates your skin deeply. It’s fragrance-free and fast absorbent. It includes hydrating elements like Butylene Glycol and Panthenol that soothe skin and retain moisture.

While this toner benefits dry skin, some ingredients may not suit sensitive skin. So, do a patch test before using it.  

5. Face Mask: Foxtale Overnight Glow mask

With 4% glycolic acid and 3% lactic acid, the Foxtale Overnight Glow Mask exfoliates your skin gently and reduces marks and blemishes. The benefits of Vitamin E and lactic acid hydrate your skin barrier, offering you glowing skin. 

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6. Sunscreen: Aqualogica Glow+Dewy Sunscreen SPF 50

Formulated with Hyaluronic acid and Titanium dioxide, Aqualogica Glow+Dewy Sunscreen is an ideal sunscreen for dry skin. The benefits of hyaluronic acid are that it hydrates the skin without being sticky and leaving a white cast. Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide protect the skin from UV damage and blue rays.

P.S.: This is not a medical prescription. This content is only for educational purposes. Please consult an expert for the best recommendations. 

 Basic skincare routine to treat dry skin daily

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Dermatologists recommend applying skincare products in ascending order of thickness. Follow these steps to treat your dry skin daily: 

1. First Cleanse: Cleanse your face with fragrance-free and gentle face wash as skin care products integrated with artificial fragrances can be harmful and irritating to the skin. 

Apply the face wash on your wet face and neck. Massage your face in a circular motion for 2 minutes and rinse with lukewarm or cold water.

2. Use Toner: Pat your face dry with a clean towel and apply a few drops of toner. Spread it evenly with gentle patting motions. Allow a few minutes for the toner to absorb before proceeding to the next step.

3. Apply Serum: Take a pea-sized drop of serum on your palms and spread it evenly. Gently dab it onto your face in small tapping motions and let the skin absorb for a few minutes.  

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4. Moisturize your skin: Take raspberry-sized moisturizer in your hand and apply it evenly to your face. Don’t rub the cream. Gently dab and massage in a circular motion for a few minutes. 

5. Protect with Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you go out in the sun. Take a generous amount and apply it to your face and neck. 

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6. Use Face Mask: Use a hydrating face mask once a week. You can also try DIY masks.

Conclusion

Dry skin can be uncomfortable and frustrating. However, you can hydrate your skin with the right products and skincare routine. In this post, we suggested the 6 best skincare products for dry skin, and here are three key points to remember:

1. Use products with hydrating ingredients.
2. Avoid using harsh chemicals.
3. Do a patch test.

Skin dryness can lead to sensitivity. Consult a dermatologist in case of severe skin concerns. Don’t forget to bookmark the post for future reference and leave your feedback. 

FAQ

1. How to cure dry skin on the face overnight?

A: Use an overnight mask to cure dry skin. 

2. Which products suit dry skin?

A: Skincare products with hydrating and gentle ingredients suit dry skin.

3. How to make dry skin glow?

A: Use Skincare products containing Vitamin C and niacinamide to glow and hydrate your skin.

The post Hydrate and Glow: Best Skincare Products for Dry Skin appeared first on A2Z Lifestyles.