How to resist everyday temptations | Psyche Guides

1. Impulsive behaviours are universal, but they can start to interfere with your life. If you’re noticing negative consequences, you can learn to respond differently to urges and feel more in control.
2. Understand why impulsive behaviours happen. Whether they provide a diversion from certain emotions or get linked with certain settings, impulsive behaviours can become automatic through conditioning. Knowing that is a first step toward changing them.
3. Identify why you want to become less impulsive. Focus on a specific impulsive behaviour and write down some ways your life could be better if that behaviour wasn’t getting in the way.
4. Practise being mindful of your feelings and urges. Set aside some time during your week for a mindfulness exercise such as the body scan. With practice, urges can become easier to notice and tolerate.
5. Deploy urge roadblocks and distractions. Pick out some precautions and diversions that will help you ride out the peak of impulsive urges without engaging in the impulsive behaviour.
6. Plan pleasurable activities without impulsive behaviours. Intentionally seeking more enjoyment from other sources can make it easier to reduce the behaviour that is causing you trouble.
7. Reflect on what’s working. Notice the moments when you feel more in control and intentional – it’s a sign of progress. If some strategies seem less helpful than others, conside