Willpower Workout

by Deborah English — January 22, 2008

Don't you think it's a little unreasonable to expect that tomorrow you'll be able to ignore tempting stimuli such as the aroma of freshly baked bread, a beautifully presented slice of chocolate cake, a big meaty burger served with a side of fries, or candy when you want a sugar-fix - when today your self-control wouldn't stand the test? Willpower is like a physical muscle; if you want yours to be strong, it needs a regular workout over time.

Interestingly though, new research conducted at the Toronto University suggests that self control is a resource that can be depleted very quickly. The researchers concluded that continually suppressing emotions and desires, or by setting too many goals, will actually overwhelm the brain - weakening your willpower - much like the effect of overusing a physical muscle! The advice? Start small. Introduce minor changes. Set realistic goals.

However, strengthening your willpower involves more than the regular practice of saying "no" to unhealthy and fattening food or "yes" to healthy food and regular exercise. We apply willpower with our conscious mind, but the conscious mind is just the tip of the iceberg. The subconscious mind is the real thrust behind much of the decision-making process. Developing awareness of deeply embedded negative thought patterns and ultimately our ability to reprogram ourselves to positively embrace our lives is at the key to strengthening willpower. This probably sounds like something you might want to put in the "too hard" basket, but once again, the key is to start small.

When you are consciously applying self-control to avoid...well...eating fattening food for instance, stop and take notice of how you feel, emotionally and physically, and what thoughts spring to mind. By doing this, you'll begin to tap in to who you are and to understand why you react to different stimuli in particular ways. And it is here that you can begin to slowly "reprogram" your thought-patterning.

Want to "fast track" it to stronger will-power? Many swear that hypnosis is an effective means to mine the subconscious and in doing so, strengthen willpower. And so is regular meditation.