APRIL 2014 - Words of Wisdom

Ever given much thought to Willpower? How much you use it? How much time is takes? How much energy it saps?

Kelly McGonigal defines willpower as “the ability to choose what matters most”.  I think the real emphasis is on “choose”. How many choices and decisions do you do every day?

The constant movement between the “devil of temptation on one shoulder” and the “angel of restraint” on the other – is taxing - and energy and time sapping. We go between “I won’t, I will, I should, I want” constantly – and this tires the brain and reduces its sharpness.

A danger – of course – is that we replenish it simple sugars (sweets, soft drinks, cereals) or perhaps a smoke. Instead of drinking water (250 mls a time), moving and munching on some fruit, nuts, carrots, celery, avocado, whole grains or low GI foods.

Willpower is less needed when we are certain of what we need to do, certain of what we need to achieve and certain of how our daily plan is conceived. Uncertainty causes and increases stress levels - more pressure on your Adrenal Glands, increased cortisol in the body – leading to more uncertainty and a bigger need for Willpower.

Uncertainty is reduced by acquiring new habits or habits that will enhance our daily activity. Habits are actions we do on a subconscious level. We don’t look at the devil or the angel – the body just does. This increases clarity and conserves brain energy.

So - while we need to look at what we eat, drink, how well we sleep, how long we rest during the day, how we move, the water we drink (instead of drinks with high sugar levels). Being more certain and focused on our daily plan is the answer to conserving our brain energy and increasing our activity levels.

Habits are difficult to acquire – need determination and a strong emotional/physical reason to achieve them. Which is the main reason why you should never make more than one important lifestyle change at a time.

Let me leave you with some tips to conserve energy used by Willpower:

1.       Have a daily plan to follow

2.       Eat a good breakfast, lunch and dinner.

3.       Drink water throughout the day and move as well.

4.       Create the habits you need to make life more certain and natural

5.       Just do the things that you need to do – like them or not – without choosing.

6.       Be kind to yourself and appreciate what you do – just reduce the ‘choices’ you need to make.

Take Care………………..Mario

contact: mario@calannapharmacy.com.au
view:      calannapharamcy.com.au