Whether sticking to a diet, saving for retirement, or remaining faithful in your marriage, willpower can help you have a beautiful brain, or the lack of it can completely ruin your life.

Here are 5 strategies to boost your willpower and self-control:

Whether sticking to a diet, saving for retirement, or remaining faithful in your marriage, willpower can help you have a beautiful brain, or the lack of it can completely ruin your life.

1. Do not let your blood sugar get too low.

Low blood sugar levels are associated with poor impulse control. If you want better willpower, have frequent smaller meals that each have at least some protein and healthy fat.

2. Get enough sleep.

Less than 7 hours of sleep at night has been associated with lower overall brain activity and less willpower.

3. On one piece of paper write down the specific goals you have for your life, relationships, work, money, and health.

Then every day ask yourself, Is my behavior getting me what I want? Focus and meditate on what you want. Your mind is powerful and it makes happen what it sees.

4. You have to practice willpower.

Willpower is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. This is why good parenting is essential to helping children develop self-control. If I had given in to my kids every time they wanted something, I would have raised spoiled, demanding adults. By saying no, I taught them to be able to say no to themselves. To develop willpower, you need to do the same thing for yourself. Practice saying no to the things that are not good for you, and over time you will find it gets easier

5. Balance your brain chemistry.

Issues such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, and past concussions decrease willpower. Getting help for these problems is essential to being in control of your life.

Today’s Practice: Where are you struggling with willpower in relation to your health? Practice strategy number 3 above in relation to it today.