DOES WHAT YOU EAT AFFECT YOUR DECISIONS?

Willpower is a reaction to internal conflict. It occurs when we have the desire to engage in certain behaviors, such as smoking, playing sports, or eating a big lunch, but at the same time, we recognize that we should not do this. The prefrontal lobe, located behind the forehead, acts as a control center for our willpower. This region is responsible for focus, attention, and decision-making. Just like our body, our brain needs proper care and nutrition to function optimally. Several factors may contribute to the decrease in willpower.

Jun 16, 2023 - 18:55
Oct 5, 2023 - 14:24
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DOES WHAT YOU EAT AFFECT YOUR DECISIONS?
DOES WHAT YOU EAT AFFECT YOUR DECISIONS?

Willpower is a reaction to internal conflict. It occurs when we have the desire to engage in certain behaviors, such as smoking, playing sports, or eating a big lunch, but at the same time, we recognize that we should not do this.

The prefrontal lobe, located behind the forehead, acts as a control center for our willpower. This region is responsible for focus, attention, and decision-making. Just like our body, our brain needs proper care and nutrition to function optimally.

Several factors may contribute to the decrease in willpower:

  • Uncertainty in decision-making
  • Insufficient sleep
  • Fluctuations in daily glucose levels
  • Messy environment

In essence, most of the reasons that affect our willpower are related to physical conditions. Lack of rest and irregular sleep patterns can reduce cognitive abilities and impair self-control. Chronic insomnia can have effects similar to poisoning. Therefore, adhering to a recommended sleep cycle between 11 a.m. and 5 a.m. can strengthen our willpower.

In addition, our daily fluctuations in glucose levels can also weaken our willpower. The effect of sugar on our bodies often leads to irritability during periods of hunger. Natural sugar levels are affected, and artificial sugars can promote addictive tendencies similar to intoxication. Long periods without food during the day cause significant decreases in sugar levels, which can lead to impulsive eating without taking into account the nutritional value. The sudden increase in sugar disrupts our willpower, and fluctuating sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance, eventually resulting in irreversible diabetes. Getting rid of the vicious cycle after becoming addicted to sugar requires precise decision-making.

Considering that it makes up 70% of our body, the water level of the body is also an important factor in reducing willpower. Insufficient water intake can lead to problems in the body's conduction system and may even manifest as skin problems. Insufficient water consumption interferes with kidney function, which in turn affects the release of hormones, including stress hormones. This disturbance in hormonal balance can affect both mental and physical well-being. Some sources suggest that the quality of water is as important as the quantity. Choosing alkaline waters with a pH value above 7 can provide better body balance and reduce the risk of infection by creating an unfavorable environment for microorganisms.

An error in any of the above fields can disrupt the entire system. For example, incomplete nutrition negatively affects various aspects. However, if the system is properly nourished and balanced, it will function and develop optimally. The power to maintain control is in our hands. The will is not only psychological or physiological; rather, it encompasses the body, mind, and soul. We are what we eat, and our thoughts shape our reality.

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Rana Gülşen Pekel Merhaba, ben Rana Gülşen PEKEL. Çağ Üniversitesi’nde Psikoloji Bölümü 4. Sınıf öğrencisiyim. Deneysel Psikoloji, Nöropsikoloji, Fizyolojik Psikoloji, Öğrenme Psikolojisi ve Endüstriyel Psikoloji alanları ile ilgileniyorum. Lisans eğitimim boyunca EFPSA (Avrupa Psikoloji Öğrencileri Birlikleri Federasyonu) ile Mind the Mind projesi kapsamında uluslararası çalışma yürütüp bunun yanında Adana Güzelyalı Hastanesi’nde ve Rehber Klinik’te Klinik Psikoloji, Adana Adliyesi’nde Adli Psikoloji ve Adana Sheraton Grand Hotel’de İnsan Kaynakları alanlarında stajlar yaparak kendimi alanlar arası geliştirme imkanı buldum. Aynı zamanda psikoloji öğrencilerinin eğitimlere ulaşılabilirliğini arttırmaya yönelik oluşturulan bir eğitim platformunda Üniversite Temsilciliği ve Eğitim Koordinatörlüğü yaparak tecrübe kazandım. Lisans eğitimim sonrasında nöropsikoloji alanında uluslararası çalışmalar yapmayı planlıyorum. Sayedra Psikoloji yönetim kurulunda yer alırken aynı zamanda Makale Çeviri Koordinatörlüğü görevimi sürdürüyorum. İdeallerim doğrultusunda kendimi sürekli güncel tutuyor ve uluslararası çalışmaları takip ederek geliştiriyorum.