Always wait until the last minute? Breaking the procrastination habit benefits you in many ways, making you more mindful and improving your mental health.

Procrastination may make you feel like you’re saving time in the short-term, but it actually creates chaos and clutters your mind, affecting the outcome of projects and your mental health. Take a moment to discover these top five reasons to stop procrastinating now.

Deadlines can be motivational, keeping you on schedule with a project or task. For some people, though, deadlines mean a frenzy of work in a short period of time or a rush to the finish line on the day something is due—classic traits of a procrastinator.

Some procrastinators claim to wait until the last minute on purpose, saying they “work well under pressure.” Other procrastinators are just overly busy or have lackluster organizational skills, or they make a habit of procrastinating unwillingly. No matter what the reason for procrastination, it’s usually not productive, and it can take a toll not only on the outcome of the project but also on the procrastinator’s mental and physical health. To help lessen or overcome procrastination, lean into these five benefits of planning ahead:

You’ll seize an opportunity. People who procrastinate tend to do so not only to push off unpleasant chores or difficult tasks but also to procrastinate when it comes to good things, too. They may wait until the eleventh hour to use a gift card, for example, only to discover it’s expired. On a broader scale, they may miss chances to participate in a new activity or apply for an exciting job. By adding breathing room to your schedule, you ‘ll have more time to embrace all that life has to offer you.

You’ll become better organized. Procrastination makes life chaotic, as you scramble toward completing activities and achieving goals. Keeping track of last-minute responsibilities can clutter your mind and cause anxiety and stress. When you plan ahead and stay on top of projects, you’ll start to live a more organized life overall. As a result, you’ll be able to take your time, and enjoy the process of completing tasks and have extra time for leisure activities you enjoy. Plus, you may start to become more organized in other areas of your life, which can further clear your mind and boost motivation.

You’ll stay on top of your health. People who procrastinate may put off doctors’ appointments. As a result, they fall behind on important medical tests and checkups, which can increase the risk for disease. Prioritizing medical appointments and planning ahead can help you fit them into your schedule.

You’ll do better at work or in school. An estimated 80 to 95 percent of college students procrastinate, which can negatively affect academic performance and increase stress. Similarly, employees who procrastinate have poorer work performance and earn less money, on average, than employees who stay on top of things. Kicking the procrastination habit can give you an advantage in school or your career, making you a more productive person and better set up for success.

You’ll improve your mental health. People who procrastinate are at an increased risk for stress and anxiety. There’s a vicious cycle when it comes to procrastination and negative emotions, such as low self-confidence, fear of failure and self-doubt. People who experience these emotions are more likely to procrastinate. Then, when they do poorly on a task or project because they procrastinated, they feel anxious and guilty. By breaking out of this cycle, you can start to feel in control of your schedule and the things on your to-do list. This will make you feel more empowered to do those things well. As a result, your self-confidence, stress and anxiety will improve.

We only have so many hours each day. This can make it tempting to put off things we have to get done when we feel overwhelmed and crunched for time. But in the long run, planning ahead, working steadily and keeping your eyes on the goal line can help you live in the present and pursue a happier, more purpose-oriented life.