Beat Impulse with Exercise
Beat Impulse with Exercise
By: Arlene Gentallan
Self control is though when you're under temptation, but you know you need it. Here's a research that may give you a practical solution to your long-standing problem. What is it?
Exercise!
You know exercise does a lot of perks for your body and mind. But here's something new. Physical activity can help you control you impulse so you can reap better outcomes in the future. Like exchanging that sweet treat for a fit body! Wouldn't it be better to buy that expensive bag when you actually have the money, and not to compromise your budget when you suddenly have the urge to spend all of what you have. Wow, that's a lot of self control!
Exercise can indeed take you to the next level. But, we're not talking about a one time exercise where you jog for a couple of minutes as an excuse so your conscience won't bother you when you empty the buffet table. No, not that kind of thing. We're talking about an exercise regimen.
Sounds hard?
Researchers led by M. Sofis conducted 2 studies with a total of 16 participants. Participants were coached in a jogging exercise regimen three times a week for about 45 minutes. The exercise regimen lasted for about 7 weeks. Their level of self control were measured via questionnaire that among other things measure their "delay-discounting."
Note this, those who attend the exercise regimen in a regular basis had a marked improvement on their self control. While those with high absenteeism rate did not show any improvement in self-control.
One month after the 7 week researcher-supervised exercise regimen has ended, participants still showed up marked improvement in self-control.
The results are intriguing and promising. Researchers are hoping to conduct a larger study.
Resources:
M. Sofis, A. Carrillo, D Jarmolowicz. (2016). Maintained Physical Activity Induced Changes in Delay Discounting. Behavior Modification. 2017 Jul;41(4):499-528. DOI: 10.1177/0145445516685047.
By: Arlene Gentallan
 |
| Beat Impulse with Exercise |
Self control is though when you're under temptation, but you know you need it. Here's a research that may give you a practical solution to your long-standing problem. What is it?
Exercise!
You know exercise does a lot of perks for your body and mind. But here's something new. Physical activity can help you control you impulse so you can reap better outcomes in the future. Like exchanging that sweet treat for a fit body! Wouldn't it be better to buy that expensive bag when you actually have the money, and not to compromise your budget when you suddenly have the urge to spend all of what you have. Wow, that's a lot of self control!
Exercise can indeed take you to the next level. But, we're not talking about a one time exercise where you jog for a couple of minutes as an excuse so your conscience won't bother you when you empty the buffet table. No, not that kind of thing. We're talking about an exercise regimen.
Sounds hard?
Researchers led by M. Sofis conducted 2 studies with a total of 16 participants. Participants were coached in a jogging exercise regimen three times a week for about 45 minutes. The exercise regimen lasted for about 7 weeks. Their level of self control were measured via questionnaire that among other things measure their "delay-discounting."
Note this, those who attend the exercise regimen in a regular basis had a marked improvement on their self control. While those with high absenteeism rate did not show any improvement in self-control.
One month after the 7 week researcher-supervised exercise regimen has ended, participants still showed up marked improvement in self-control.
The results are intriguing and promising. Researchers are hoping to conduct a larger study.
Resources:
M. Sofis, A. Carrillo, D Jarmolowicz. (2016). Maintained Physical Activity Induced Changes in Delay Discounting. Behavior Modification. 2017 Jul;41(4):499-528. DOI: 10.1177/0145445516685047.
