Highlighting summer's enhanced opportunities for healthy behavior has become a tradition for this column. In keeping with tradition, here is my annual installment – one that zeroes in on the core ...

With that in mind, here are some of the ways that psychologists say we can build self-efficacy: ...

At the start of every new year, many of us think about how to make our lives better going forward. Perhaps we want to lose weight or stop drinking or stay off of our cell phones. If only we had more ...

What does self-discipline look like at work? Sometimes it’s the ability to resist temptation, such as distractions to avoid a particular task, or taking a donut from the break room. Other times it’s ...

Covid lockdowns slowed the growth of focus and self-control skills in young children, especially those who started school ...

Small commitments to yourself may feel trivial — but psychologists say they may form the foundation of genuine self-respect, resilience and long-term well-being. Self-respect is often described as a ...

I was thinking of starting this post by asking you to cue the 1980s Laura Branigan hit “Self Control”—except this version of self-control won’t have you losing your mind in the middle of the night.

Self-control has long been regarded as one of the strongest predictors of success. Most of us can picture that colleague who never misses a deadline, volunteers for extra projects and keeps everything ...

Ever find yourself stuck in the cycle of setting goals only to watch them slip away as motivation fades? Many of us struggle with self-discipline, that elusive trait that seems to separate those who ...

Do you ever get the feeling your brain is always racing ahead of your best intentions? Impulse control can be a struggle, especially as a neurodivergent woman. Quick reactions can create problems that ...

Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor, and holds certifications as a personal trainer and weightlifting coach. She has been writing about health for over 10 years. February 26, 2026 Add ...