Better Ways To Develop Self-Control
Sunday, March 06, 2022 Everyone lacks self-control from time to time. It can happen when you’ve eaten an extra slice of cake or when you buy items you’ve never even wanted in the first place. Everyone loses control from time to time. We might have a bad day and treat ourselves to a shopping spree or sweets. But when you’re constantly eating hidden sweets inside your cabinet or binge-buying, then it’s probably a problem, especially if it interferes with your social or personal life. So, how do we practice more self-control without feeling like we’re too stuffy or disciplined? Here are some tips on how everyone can gain a bit more self-control!
Is It Bad To Lose Control?
We all let go sometimes and embrace more negative habits. It is nothing to be ashamed of, but it suggests that something is going wrong. Maybe your home feels dirty, or work is becoming stressful. The first step to gaining more control is looking for where the issue lies. It's not always easy to figure out. But when you know what the problem could be, you can start implementing these tips!
These techniques are great for developing more self-control and improving your lifestyle. There may be cases where mental health is linked to your lack of self-control. In that case, I recommend speaking to a therapist or psychiatrist. You need to put your mind first, so professional help may be the best route for you. It's always best to speak to someone rather than bottling it up!
Build A Morning Routine
Your morning determines so much about your day. It is the moment where you set your intentions and decide how you want your day to go. What does your morning routine look like now? There is no perfect, set routine for everyone. Some like to exercise and work early morning, while others prefer to spread their jobs throughout the day. Building a morning routine can help you develop more self-control as you set out how you want each morning to be. It stops you from swaying towards bad habits.
Remember to start small when building a morning routine that works for you. Avoid jumping into the perfect routine as you may not find it sustainable. Write down 3-5 things you want to start doing in the morning and slowly build them up. You may want to start with ones you know could easily fit into your current routine.
If you want to journal your thoughts in the morning, decide what would help you write more. For some, putting your journal on your nightstand before bed may encourage you to write more in the morning. You could aim to write about half a page, but don't pressure yourself if you write less or more. Avoid setting minimum targets, as it can feel overwhelming if you don't reach those goals. For example, if you write 5 pages one day, don't expect that to be the same each time. Start small and work your way up to the target.
Related: Life Admin Day: 50+ things you NEED to get off your to do list!
Meditate Or Practice Yoga
Meditation has more benefits than you think. Some of the benefits include feeling more relaxed. You're also less likely to jump to conclusions about situations you have no control over! According to Healthline, meditation has been proven to reduce inflammation caused by stress, improve attention span, and promote emotional health. Here are some benefits of adding yoga and meditation into your daily routine!
- Improves flexibility & balances
- Increases your lung capacity
- Improves your strength
- You may feel more energised
- Can help you to have better sleep
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Can help to fight depression and mental health issues
If you’re sitting down already, notice the background sounds. There are so many feelings and sounds you have missed. Lean to one side and stretch. If you've been sitting down for a while, why not do a 5-minute stretch? At first, you may feel like meditation is a chore and can be awkward. That's okay! Sometimes it can be strange to connect with your inner thoughts, and some find it a little boring.
If you're unsure where to start, you could try a 10 to 15 minute guided meditation on YouTube. There are videos from several channels focused on stress, forgiveness, trauma healing, and relationships. I also love trying guided yoga as there are so many flows and positions to try. Meditation and yoga can help you develop more self-control as it gives you a chance to focus on problem points and let go. Start small, and congratulate yourself when you finish a meditation.
Take Some Time For Yourself
Taking time for yourself is important to develop more self-control. Without time for yourself, you’ll never figure out what your likes and dislikes are. This time can be short- maybe 10 to 15 minutes, but the time you spend on yourself can make a huge difference. If you have time, you could try an hour-long session for self-care! So many of us would drop whatever we were doing and drive straight to help a family member or friend. But what about time for ourselves?
Every one of us needs to recharge and enjoy an activity. I’m talking about something you always wanted to do and something exciting! Self-care is a part of life, and it can help you gain more self-control. By indulging in little luxuries, you're less likely to binge on those things. It doesn't need to be productive, which took me a while to realise. It just needs to be something you want to do and relaxes you! Here are some short but effective things you could try in your free time.
- Paint, draw or try another form of craft
- Do a puzzle or play a game
- Read your favourite novel or a book you've always wanted
- Watch something
- Write something to your future self
- Bullet journal
- Sing your heart out
- Call someone you miss
- Try yoga, take a class or do some exercise
- Dance around listening to music
- Create a gorgeous plant garden
- Take a 10-minute mini shopping spree
Don’t be ashamed of taking time for yourself. We live in a give and take culture where productivity equals success. But there is so much power in letting our bodies relax and doing something that strengthens us mentally. You don’t have to feel ashamed in taking care of yourself!
Which one of these resonated with you more? Practising these tips and gaining more self-control in your day is so motivating. Developing self-control takes time and dedication, but the process is worth it in the end. What other ways do you have to practice self-control? I'd love to hear some little ways you've added to your daily routine.
About The Guest Writer
The blogger behind this guest post is Karie Rashell! She is a blogger who writes about personal, relatable topics such as relationships, self-esteem, and how to live life in your 20s. Her blog, Diary of an Unbreakable Soul, is open to anyone who wants to hear the things that no one says out loud!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karierashell
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisunbreakablesoul
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