Human brains are fascinatingly complex, performing an endless stream of physical tasks to keep your body operating efficiently, while being capable of an amazing array of emotions and creative thoughts. With this complexity comes an exhausting variety of psychological dysfunction and emotional problems, and very few people are immune from the negative effects of these higher functions. There are many ways in which you can improve your life and mental wellbeing with healthy life choices and professional interventions, but perhaps one of the most fundamental building blocks of good health is the concept of self-control.
What is self-control?
It’s all in the name – being able to direct your actions in the way that your objective brain knows is best, rather than giving in to the impulses of the subjective brain. It’s how you get yourself out of bed in the morning when it would be far more pleasant to snuggle up under the covers, or what makes you call the credit card company about a missed payment when it feels like it would be easier to ignore the letter they sent you. Without self-control, you’d never get anything done that wasn’t rewarding and pleasurable in the short-term, and that’s where you’ll find the key to achieving the right level of self-control in your life.
Short-term pleasure, long-term gain
Our brains are hardwired to focus on the rewards of immediate gratification rather than the possible benefits of seeing the bigger picture. Take dieting, for example. This is one of the classic areas where self-control is essential if you want to lose weight and keep it off. If faced with the choice of watching TV and eating a packet of Oreos, or getting sweaty and exhausted going on a run around the block, your brain tends to naturally put the pleasurable activity ahead of the less enjoyable one. Self-control is having the ability to see that by avoiding exercise and eating high-calorie snacks you’ll never reach your longer-term goal of losing weight.
Learning to take the long view
There’s no easy way to retrain your brain to prioritize long-term gains over instant enjoyment, but the achievements of the human race in many different spheres are proof that it can be done. Motivation is vital for changing lifestyle habits, for example, if you want to eat more healthily, then understanding the damaging effects of sugar on your body may be what you need to kick-start your self-control. Alternatively, you might be motivated by wanting to look your best for a special occasion or having more energy for playing with your children. By finding your motivation, you’ll discover you are more easily able to exert self-control and think about how you’ll feel if you reach your goals, rather than giving in to instant gratification.
It’s frustrating to know you are inclined to choose current pleasure over future achievement, because giving in to the pleasure of eating a bar of chocolate might give you a brief moment of enjoyment, but is nothing compared to the life-changing effects of achieving physical fitness. Unlocking the door to your motivation and finding the strength to exert self-control are the keys to successful lifestyle changes.
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