![\"image\"](\"http:\/\/www.naturalskincare.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image7.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMore Willpower ? – Yes Please!<\/h3>\n
January is all about new beginnings and signifies the hope that finally this year will be the year to shake off an accumulation of bad habits. The main thing that stands in our way of course is our Willpower – or lack of. I know I certainly do not have enough and am fascinated by people who seem to have it in abundance.<\/p>\n
Turns out (contrary to popular belief, including my own) willpower is not something we either have or have not,\u00a0but rather it is all in the mind (just behind the forehead to be precise) \u00a0and is greatly affected by stress, sleep and even the food we eat!! \u00a0The good news is our\u00a0resolve can be strengthened by daily\u00a0practices. I found an interesting piece on Willpower by Carl Robertson who has created a guide line to develop stronger resolution. Check\u00a0out his\u00a0Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to experts certain daily habits can strengthen your willpower and the best time to practice them is in the morning\u00a0(that really means the night before)! See below for a guide on how to develop the perfect morning routine for unstoppable willpower:<\/p>\n 1. GET ENOUGH SLEEP<\/p>\n In scientific terms, sleep deprivation leads to what\u2019s called “mild prefrontal dysfunction,” – a state where your brain is unable to regulate emotions or attention span as easily. Essentially, this state of mind is akin to being drunk! It leaves us at a disadvantage as we are more likely to get frustrated when working on challenging tasks, which leads to us getting irritated\u00a0with those around us.<\/p>\n 2. MEDITATE<\/p>\n Robertson suggests Meditation is the fastest and most effective way to increase your willpower. By meditating, you are training the brain to focus and resist the urge to wander. Research shows that after just 2-3 days of practising meditation for 10 minutes, your brain will be able to focus better, energy levels will increase, and you will be less stressed.<\/p>\n But what is Meditation? Put simply it is the practice of bringing your thoughts to the present. (This is usually done by sitting upright in a room that is clear of distractions and focusing solely on your breathing). We spend nearly half (47% ) of our lives either reliving the past or thinking about what we are going to do in the future. This means very little time is spent with a clear, focused mind on the present. Instead, \u00a0incorporate 10 minutes meditation within your the morning routine and\u00a0within 2-3 days, you will see an increase in your willpower!<\/p>\n 3. EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST<\/p>\n We’ve all heard that eating a healthy breakfast is important. But who knew food is\u00a0essential for willpower!<\/p>\n Robertson<\/a>\u00a0explains that food produces a chemical known as glucose, which is what the brain uses as its \u201cwillpower fuel\u201d. Sugary foods cause a quick spike of glucose, giving you willpower fuel for the short-term, but will cause a subsequent crash that depletes your willpower just as fast.<\/p>\n Instead aim to keep the glucose levels steady. This will give your brain a consistent reserve of fuel to exert willpower throughout the day -a low-glycemic diet is best: LEAN PROTEINS, NUTS (ideally walnuts, pecans and cashews), FRESH FRUIT (bananas, blueberries, apples and cherries), and VEGETABLES. Try an omelette, or banana smoothie or even a green juice.<\/p>\n 4. EXERCISE<\/p>\n 24 non-exercisers between the age of 18 and 50 took part in a 2-month study. They were given free gym memberships and asked to exercise just once a week for the first month and three times week for the second month. Throughout the study, they tested the participants on various self-control activities from resisting temptations to persevering through challenging tasks.<\/p>\n After just 2 months of exercise every participant had increased his or her ability to resist temptations and persevere on tasks.<\/p>\n The participants also:<\/p>\n \u00b7 Procrastinated less ( something I am guilty of).<\/p>\n \u00b7 Felt more in control of their emotions<\/p>\n \u00b7 Reduced smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake<\/p>\n \u00b7 Saved more money<\/p>\n \u00b7 Ate less junk food<\/p>\n \u00b7 Began eating a healthier diet<\/p>\n \u00b7 Watched less TV<\/p>\n \u00b7 Spent more time studying<\/p>\n \u00b7 Splurged less on impulse purchases<\/p>\n \u00b7 Were more likely to be\u00a0punctual<\/p>\n All of this occurred naturally from the habitual exercise!<\/p>\n Remember\u00a0for a full month, these participants only went to the gym ONCE a week!! Only four\u00a0times in total in the entire first month!<\/p>\n 5. GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME<\/p>\n Avoid Stress. This is one of the biggest sabotages of your willpower. Stress releases a chemical in your body known as cortisol, which increases anxiety, lowers energy, and depletes confidence. The biggest culprit of stress in the morning is feeling rushed.<\/p>\n CONCLUSION<\/p>\n Robertson says willpower is like a battery. Each morning we wake up with a fully charged \u201cwillpower battery\u201d. Throughout the day, it slowly gets drained until we feel completely exhausted and demotivated. However, there are many things we can do to \u201cextend our battery life\u201d, and it starts with the perfect morning routine: Give yourself plenty of time to wake up, meditate, eat a healthy breakfast, exercise and find inspiration before you go to work. Avoid the rush as the cortisol that is produced will upset the additional willpower from your perfect morning routine! The key is to go to bed earlier, wake up earlier and give yourself plenty of time to build a long-lasting willpower battery life!<\/p>\n If you can improve your morning routine, you will set yourself up for a very successful life!<\/p>\n I’m inspired!! Are you?<\/p>\n Naturally yours,<\/p>\n Michaela X<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" More Willpower ? – Yes Please! January is all about new beginnings and signifies the hope that finally this year will be the year to shake off an accumulation of bad habits. The main thing that stands in our way of course is our Willpower – or lack of. 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