Tip #12: Be Well, Willpower Up!

How to Increase Willpower

It turns out that willpower may be a finite resource, so it's no wonder you're more likely to bend to temptation later in the day.

Try a few of these tips to build up your willpower so you can keep positive habits going strong:

Arrange your environment.

• Clean. Get rid of your temptations, so you don't have to resist them.
• Commit. Make plans with a friend who can hold you accountable.
• Optimize. Time tasks so they align with your willpower - like grocery
  shopping when you're already full.

Boost your willpower in the moment.

• Postpone: Say "not now, maybe later" to get the devil off your
  shoulder when you're tempted.
• Distract: Give your impulse a chill pill by focusing on something else
  for a few minutes.
• Hide: Remove the temptation from plain sight or remove yourself
  from the situation.

Strengthen your ongoing willpower.

• Meditate: a 10-minute mindful meditation session every morning can help
  improve impulse control over time.
• Sleep: Think of rest as a shield from temptations - the more you sleep, the
  stronger it gets.
• Stop Swearing: Changing a speech pattern, like avoiding expletives, can
  help you learn to extend your willpower.

Excuse your setbacks.

• Forgive Yourself: You're human, after all! Give yourself a break when you
  deviate from the path, and you'll be more likely to get back on it.

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HFG is a partnership with the American Heart Association.