The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It

Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal's wildly popular course "The Science of Willpower," <b>The Willpower Instinct</b> is the first book to explain the new science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity. <br><br>Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, <b>The Willpower Instinct </b>explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters. For example, readers will learn:<br><ul><li>Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep.</li><li>Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health.</li><li>Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained for greater willpower</li><li>Guilt and shame over your setbacks lead to giving in again, but self-forgiveness and self-compassion boost self-control.</li><li>Giving up control is sometimes the only way to gain self-control.</li><li>Willpower failures are contagious--you can catch the desire to overspend or overeat from your friends­­--but you can also catch self-control from the right role models.</li></ul>In the groundbreaking tradition of Getting Things Done, The Willpower Instinct combines life-changing prescriptive advice and complementary exercises to help readers with goals ranging from losing weight to more patient parenting, less procrastination, better health, and greater productivity at work