[personaldev] The biochemical underpinnings of willpower, and how we can increase it

[mattbell]

There's now a substantial body of work on willpower that shows it is governed by a distinct biochemical pathway.

Some really interesting discoveries:
- Willpower is a limited resource.  If you expend it on one activity (eg putting up with a loud noise) it will be weaker when you need it for another activity (eg not getting mad when someone yells at you).  Thus it';s worth choosing what to focus your willpower on wisely.
- Willpower can be increased with strength training, just like a muscle.
- Low blood sugar decreases willpower.  (I used to tell high school teachers that eating in class helped me stay focused on the lecture.  Now I finally have evidence of this)
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is higher during high-willpower tasks.  This is REALLY interesting.  It's not mentioned in the article, but I know that high HRV can be induced by slow-breathing techniques used in meditation.  Biofeedback systems (eg the StressEraser and Journey To Wild Divine) train people to increase HRV. 

http://www.inneridea.com/library/how-to-strengthen-willpower-part-1
http://www.inneridea.com/library/how-to-strengthen-willpower-part-2

(via Christine Peterson)

Comments

[integreillumine.livejournal.com]

It also seems somewhat logical to suggest that things that take/deserve active attention are also things that require willpower. This is one reason why I don't like to have important conversations while driving.

Being hungry or cold or whatever (uncomfortable) decreases focus ability. So, yeah, it's true that having enough food in you will help you focus. But it's probably better to time between classes if possible, because even the act of eating/sounds of unwrapping can distract you and other people from what you're there to focus on.