The Willpower Workout: 7 Ways to Improve Your Self-Control
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We often think of self-control as something people either have, or simply don't.
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But rather than an inherent strength of character, what we call willpower is a mental process like any other.
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Making long-term choices when we'd rather do something satisfying right now is hard. We can do it, but it takes energy.
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Eventually that energy runs out, leaving us with little self-control until we have time to rest and recharge.
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If you want to improve your self-control, consider some of these tips for growing and protecting your capacity for willpower.
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Making too many decisions wears you out and makes it harder to make good choices. Reduce this demand as much as you can!
#1 - Reduce Decision Fatigue
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Like a muscle, your willpower gets stronger with use. Try to consciously test your willpower to help it develop.
#2 - Willpower Challenges
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Like with most things, self-control doesn't work as well when you're tired, so make sure you're getting enough good sleep!
#3 - Mind Your Sleep Schedule
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In addition to being a good willpower challenge, exercise stimulates circulation of the resources your body needs to make good decisions.
#4 - Plain Old Exercise
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On days you expect to be tiring or difficult, clear the runway for your evening to not rely too heavily on your willpower.
#5. Set up Easy Landings
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Meditation improves bloodflow and builds a healthier relationship with your thoughts, leading to better capacity for self-control.
#6. Breathing Meditiation
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With good habits in place, you won't need to rely as heavily on willpower to make healthy choices, leaving more capacity for self-control elsewhere.
#7. Habits and Routines
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Swipe up for more ideas and strategies for building a happier, more fulfilling life through personal growth!
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