Student Article
Five Hacks to Supercharge Your Willpower
Willpower (noun): The ability to control yourself and make good decisions.
Temptation (noun): Something that makes you want to do something, especially something bad.
Swill (verb): To wash or rinse out.
Resolution (noun): A promise to yourself to do something.
Mindfulness (noun): Being aware and focused on the present moment.
Want to be better at sticking to your goals? Here are some tips to boost your willpower!
1. Keep the sweets
Don't throw away those leftover Christmas sweets. Learning to resist temptation can make you stronger. In one study, students who had to resist eating sweets later ate fewer M&Ms than those who didn't have the temptation.
2. Swill a sugary drink
You don’t need to completely drink a sugary drink to boost your willpower. Even just swishing the drink around your mouth and spitting it out can make you stronger for tasks like squeezing a hand grip or solving puzzles.
3. Focus on one resolution
Don't try to do too many goals at once. It's easier to stick to one goal at a time. For example, focus on practicing soccer first, then work on other goals.
4. Control your environment
Sometimes, our surroundings make us do things we shouldn't. For example, if watching TV makes you bored and eat a lot of snacks, try doing something else instead.
5. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness and meditation can help improve your willpower. In one study, people who practiced mindfulness did better on tasks after watching gross videos without showing any reaction.
© Andy Ridgway / Our Media
Willpower (noun): The ability to control yourself and make good decisions.
Temptation (noun): Something that makes you want to do something, especially something bad.
Swill (verb): To wash or rinse out.
Resolution (noun): A promise to yourself to do something.
Mindfulness (noun): Being aware and focused on the present moment.