Self-Control will bring balance, calmness, determination, confidence and willpower into your life. It will make you a stronger person who is able to focus on the goal rather than being distracted, someone that can manage time better and that reaches their goals.
No matter what your goal is: becoming fitter, healthier, happier, lose weight, be successful at work or something else; determine your goal clearly, then follow with an action plan in which you set yourself achievable long and short term goals. you should follow your set targets with actions, thoughts and behaviour which will result in improvement and success.
If you have followed the other posts we have mentioned the NewStart Concept before; Temperance/ Self-control is part of this concept due to its impact on our well-being.
When speaking about Temperance I like to mention common addictions like drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco & vape, craving sweets, sodas/ juices and candy. To overcome much willpower and support is needed. But it is not impossible!
Those addictions can result in serious lifelong health issues, therefore we do offer support if should you choose to overcome your addiction.
We will guide you step for step to overcome your addiction and craving. (Book a free call now).
We also have noticed that many of our clients had been surrounded by stress on a constant basis, some even think stress is needed for them to thrive. Stress can affect you physically, emotionally and change your behaviour. Many get very temperamental and often cannot control it under stress. Physically it can contribute to various ills such as insomnia, eating disorders, circulatory problems, low immune system strength and may also cause cancer. The list is much longer but I will keep it short for this post.
Reducing stress can re-balance your life as well as helping to improve your health.
Next time you are stressed try some deep breathing exercises, go outside for a few minutes, have some water or something to eat (if you have skipped your meals) and I also like to recommend prayer and meditation. I am speaking about prayer a bit later again but praying and meditating helps to release stress. You will be able to focus on what is important and strengthen to tackle the tasks at hand.
When talking about stress we also have to address laziness. Ofen people are overdoing something or not doing anything, it is the balance that is important.
I have seen many people, especially young people finding creative ways to do less or let other people do everything. This can be in a relationship between partners, between friends or parent and child.
The unwillingness to do a task that is often perceived to be difficult or uncomfortable and rather let someone else do it instead brings a unbalance into your life and the people around you. This can result in conflicts as well as health issues e.g. linked to stress.
Even though a task may seem difficult or uncomfortable try to do it and try to look at the positives, whatever it might be - there is always a positive, we just have to look for it.
Doing something that seems hard and finishing it will give a sense of accomplishment and in turn boost your wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of others around you.
I'd like to take you through each aspect of the NewStart Concept and its connection with Self-control. To read more about the NewStart Concept, check out this blog post here.
Nutrition
Taking charge of what we eat is not always easy and all too often we give in to cravings that aren't healthy.
We need to re-educate ourselves on how to give the right nutrition to our bodies through simple plant-based cooking. (If you like to have more information on this, check out our 'Cooking class' here.)
Setting meal times can also help you in becoming more in control of what you eat.
Exercise
Often times we prioritize everything over exercising and eventually it will get back to us when we are getting older.
Or all too often we exercise so much that everything becomes centred around our exercise routine - this can become very unbalanced.
Finding the right balance can help us build up our immune system, get energized for the day and focus more on our work throughout the day.
A 30 minutes workout (brisk walking, cycling, cardio, HIIT etc.) is enough. This in combination with fresh air and sunshine is even better and can be a perfect start for the day.
If you are looking for a little boost - then check out this challenge we have created on exercising.
Water
Drinking the right amount of water each day can help us stay energised and on top of things throughout the day.
It also can help us reduce cravings and caffeine intake.
Check out our post on water and find out how much water you should be drinking each day.
Having preferably a transparent glass bottle always with you can help you in creating the habit of drinking more water.
Try to not snack in between meal times and drink water if you feel peckish.
Oftentimes your body is calling for water but you might think you need food instead.
Sunshine
Getting outside and enjoying the sunshine is very important to our well-being. Sunlight helps the production of Vitamin D which supports our bone health, prevents disease, lowers blood pressure and boosts our mental health.
Finding regular activities for at least 30 minutes a day (preferably not noon time to prevent sunburn) is something we highly recommend.
Air
Without air, the human body cannot survive. Going regularly outside to get fresh air can lighten the mood, help us to focus and boost our overall health. We recommend combining fresh air with exercise and sunshine but you also can just take a break and sit on a nice park bench. Getting those 30 minutes daily can be very beneficial to your well-being and is helping you to be more balanced and in reaching your goals.
Rest
Rest comes in many shapes and forms, we actually created a full blog post on it and you can find it here.
Be sure to take a break and find calmness throughout the day as well as going to bed in time in order to get enough rest.
Leave your phone in another room and avoid screen time before bed, this will improve your sleep quality.
Trust in God
The Bible says in Psalm 37:4-5 :
"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
and in 1. Peter 4:7 says:
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled and sober in prayer."
Trusting in God's leading can reduce stress and anxiety. When following his leading and communicating with him your desires will allow him to act upon them and lead you through what is best for you.
I always like to see what the Bible says and here are a few quotes that I found about self-control:
Self-control Protects
A man without self-control is like a city without walls. see (Proverbs 25:28)
Self-control makes you more attractive
Self-control makes you more attractive than styled hair, jewellery or expensive clothes.see (1. Timothy 2:9)
You will have a great testimony to tell if you are self-controlled
Being sober-minded and focused on the goals you will achieve your goal and people can see the good of your works. see(Titus 2:6)
Self-control is not easy and can be frustrating at times
Trials and temptations will come but they are like are tests that controlled will make you stronger! see (1. Peter 4:12)
You don't need to battle alone - the Holy Spirit will help you
If you are filled with the Holy Spirit it will be easier for you to overcome temptations. see (Galatians 5:16)
I also find that 1. Corinthians 10:13 empowers me when faced with temptations and I feel like I want to give in. It says: "God will not let you be tempted above what you are able and there will be always a way in overcoming temptation."
There is always a way out, next time when you feel weak and you just want to give up, say a prayer and claim the promises given by God through the Bible, ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you and to give you strength.
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