How much self-control do you have?

Self-control is an important aspect when it comes to dieting and weight management. In terms of nutrition, self-control refers to the ability to resist temptation, maintain discipline and make healthy long-term dietary choices. This puts self-control on a par with willpower.

The brain's response to rewards, as we experience when snacking for example, can be genetically determined. Genetic variants can intensify this reward effect and make it extremely difficult to exercise self-control or resist temptation.

Important: Self-control is to a certain extent innate and anchored in the personality. However, the far greater part can be trained and depends on factors such as social environment, psychological and emotional stability or stress.

Influence your own self-control

Regardless of your genetic predisposition, you can improve your self-control through other factors such as Avoiding stress, exercising according to your type, getting enough sleep, setting realistic goals, dieting according to your type and much more.

Tips for self-control

• Take a deep breath: This valuable time delay can prevent short-circuiting actions.
• Analyze: The mental distance sharpens your view of the big picture and gives you back your sovereignty and control over your actions.
• Classify: Focus your gaze on the future, i.e. on the consequences and outcomes. In this way, you will quickly recognize which reaction is the best.
• Rethinking: Our perception is usually one-sided and selective. A mental change of perspective creates understanding and helps us to see things objectively.
• Practice, practice, practice: impulse control is a question of training.

What Does Genetics Have to Do with It?