Self-control is when you are able to control the way that you respond to things and that you do not do behaviors that are undesirable so that you can reach the goals that you see in your life. Having self-control can help you to have a strong well-being.
Some goals such as losing weight, working out, healthy eating and giving up bad habits are important and take self-control. Also doing things such as saving money and getting work done can also use self-control.
Self-Control
Self-control includes disciplining yourself and having willpower. Here are some ways self-control is defined:
- Controlling behaviors.
- Avoiding things that tempt you.
- Reaching goals.
- Resisting unwanted behaviors.
Some believe that self-control is determined by genetics and that some have better genetics based on this control.
Why is Self-Control Important?
Self-control is important because it can help you to reach your goals. Rather you want to lose weight, save money, quit unhealthy habits, or get a degree, your self-control can help you to control your behaviors and can strengthen your ability to get things done.
People that have self-control are usually happier and more well-rounded.
In an experiment, students that had self-control had better self-esteem, better grades, better scores and achieved their goals int their schooling.
The study found that self-control also contributed to IQ scores and good health. Those that had self-control as children had better levels of mental health and physical health into adulthood.
Gratification
If you can learn to wait to get what you want, delayed gratification, then you will need to have self-control. People that are in control of their desires are able to calm their urges and are able to avoid temptations such as eating unhealthily, and this works with delayed gratification because they wait until they really want something before giving in.
Putting off short-term desires can have better rewards and can be important in overall well-being in life and in success.
Marshmallow Test
The marshmallow test is a famous experiment that showed that children could eat one treat right away such as a marshmallow or if they waited for a little bit, they could get more than one snack.
The researchers would leave the room and the kids would choose to eat the treat immediately or to wait. The children that were able to use delayed gratification were able to get a better reward and they were seen to be better in academics.
Hot and Cool
Research shows that delayed gratification refers to the way that we control ourselves and our emotions and impulses. When we act on our desires and give in to desires right away, we do not consider the long-term effects that it can have.
The cool system is our willpower and how we think things through, and we are understanding of our impulses and actions and what consequences they bring. This helps us to reject our urges and to find ways to deal with our desires.
Ego
Ego is part of self-control. When we practice being in control, it gets better as time goes on. The harder things are and the more self-control that we show, the better we can perform our tasks and can do better in our lives.
Ego depletion means that people will use their willpower and then will not have self-control to deal with the next thing.
Health
Having self-control can help you to have better health. This can help you to eat better and to work out, go to the doctor regularly and to help you overall. Here are some ways:
- Children that have self-control are less overweight later in life.
- Willpower on unrelated tasks can cause you to give into temptation later.
- Kids that have a hard time with self-control are known to use drugs and alcohol in high-school.
Self-control is important if you want to be healthy and not having self-control can be damaging. Self-control can help you to reach your goals and when people are not able to resist temptation, they blame themselves and this can make them feel that there is no hope.
This causes people to give up when they face obstacles, even small ones.
Motivation
Those that lack willpower are not able to reach their goals:
- They need to set clear goals.
- Motivation to change has to be present.
- Having unclear goals can make you unmotivated and lead to failure.
- Track your actions.
- Track achievements.
- Have willpower.
Ideas
Self-control has limits but it can also help you to have strength.
Temptation
One way to look at self-control is to avoid temptation. Use self-control when you get a desire to do something such as eating unhealthily and find something to distract you such as going for a walk or calling someone you like to talk to.
Plan
Make plans so that you can stop giving in. Make sure you have healthy snacks available when you want something sweet, for example. By doing this, you can improve your willpower.
Practice
Self-control can become depleted when it is short-term but if you do behaviors that work on your self-control then you will increase your willpower. Self-control is like a muscle and the more you work it the stronger it gets.
Focus
Take time to focus on one goal at a time. Having too many goals at once can cause you not to meet any of them. This can cause your willpower to deplete and cause you to use all of your energy on one goal.
When you use your energy to reach small goals, it will increase your willpower and make you feel good.
Meditate
Meditate to strengthen your self-control. This is a way to learn how to be aware of what is going on in your thoughts and your body.
Consequences
Having self-control will help you to have positive consequences and can help you to reach your goals. Not being in control and cause you to mess up in your life, education, career, relationship, and your overall health. Remind yourself of the consequences you face if you are not in control.
Conclusion
Self-control is a skill and it can be used to reach long-term goals. This is important when you need to improve your health and increase your willpower over time.