Conservapedia

Self-control

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Obesity is positively associated with impulsiveness, lower self-control and neuroticism.[1]

Self-Control is defined by the Meriam Dictionary as restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires".[2]

Self-control and the Holy Spirit/Bible

 
Praying Hands.

The Christian apologist Gary Habermas wrote: "Double-blind prayer experiments: where people pray for others with terminal illness. Habermas admitted that most such experiments have not worked, but the three that he knows of that have indeed worked were cases of orthodox-Christians praying for the sick."[3]

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them.

Self-control and the Bible/Christianity

Bible verses on self-control

Religion and self-control

Engaging in virtuous behavior and quenching temptations to engage in immoral behavior requires self-control.

In the journal article Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications, psychologists McCullough and Willoughby theorize that many of the positive links of religiousness with health and social behavior may be caused by religion's beneficial influences on self-control/self-regulation.[4][5] Furthermore, a 2012 Queen's University study published in Psychological Science found that religion replenishes self-control.[6][7]

Research of Andrew Newberg M.D. related to intense prayer

Research indicates that 12 minutes of daily intense prayer over an eight-week period can change the brain to such a degree that it can be measured on a brain scan. This method of prayer appears to increase activity in brain areas associated with social interaction and compassion/thoughtfulness. In addition, it increases frontal lobe activity as focus and intentionality increase.[8][9][10]

Increasing self-control techniques

 
Homer

Below are various techniques to increase self-control:[11]

1. Eat three meals a day and eat low glycemic index foods (People with alow glucose levels have lower levels of willpower).

2. Get enough sleep. Tired people have lower levels of willpower.

3. Bright lines method (Making steadfast rules that you absolutely commit to. For example, a person committing to eating healthier making a steadfast rule not to go into convenience stores).

4. Set clear goals

5. Behavior monitoring (Get on scale every day for weight loss, use a spreadsheet to track daily performance, etc.)

6. Precommitment strategy which involves restricting choices to better alternatives (Only buying healthy food at grocery store or using portion control for weight loss; browser addons that block various time wasting websites for better time management, etc.). In Homer's book The Odyssey, Ulysses tells his sailors to bind him to the mast of his ship and block their ears before sailing past the island of the Sirens, whose enchanting song draws sailors to shipwreck.

7. Turn behavior into a habit (For example, exercising at the same time everyday.).

Articles on self-control techniques:

Kelly McGonigal self-control methods and other research

Kelly McGonigal

Kelly McGonigal defines willpower as "the ability to do what you really want to do when part of you really doesn’t want to do it."

It consists of three elements:

  1. I will – the ability to do what you need to do
  2. I won't – resisting temptation
  3. I want – Your goals and noble desires

McGonigal recommends increasing willpower though getting proper sleep, exercise and nutrition. Engaging in mindfulness and meditation. Meditation can increase the prefrontal cortex part of the brain which is a center of the brain key to willpower.[12][13]

Future self

Self-control via habits

James Clear on habits

James Clear is a best-selling author who wrote the book Atomic Habits.

Self- control via habits: Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII)

Videos: Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII)

Self-control via daily routines

The creative lives of massively productive people like John Milton, Charles Dickens, Ludwig Beethoven and Edison follow strict daily routines. (i.e., when they would get up, when they would start work, when they would exercise and when they would relax). Peak productivity’s not about luck. It’s about devotion.

Disciplined thinking

Science of self-control/willpower

 
The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.[14][15][16]

Books

See also

External links

Increasing self-control, general articles/videos:

Videos:

Notes

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Self-Control - Webster-Merriam dictionary
  3. ↑ Christian Apologist: 10 Reasons for the Fall of Atheism by Gary Habermas
  4. ↑ Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications
  5. ↑ Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications
  6. ↑ Religion Replenishes Self-Control, Psychological Science, June 2012 vol. 23 no. 6 635-642, Kevin Rounding, Albert Lee, Jill A. Jacobson and Li-Jun Ji at Queen’s University
  7. ↑ Study finds religion helps us gain self-control
  8. ↑ How Prayer Affects the Brain
  9. ↑ How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist
  10. ↑ How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist– March 23, 2010 by Andrew Newberg M.D, Mark Robert Waldman. Pages 26,27
  11. ↑ Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney. Penguin Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2011)
  12. ↑ Neurobiology of Spirituality, E. Mohandas, M.D.
  13. ↑ The Psychology of Mindfulness, Digested
  14. ↑ The Human Body: God's Masterpiece
  15. ↑ The Enigmatic Human Brain by Wallace G. Smith
  16. ↑ The Most Complex Structure, Creation Moments
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