All humans have self-control. It is just that the degree of control differs. It is what differentiates us from animals. But we can lose our self-control and it happens to each one of us. Self-control is the ability to subdue one’s impulses, emotions, and behaviours to achieve long-term goals. The ability to exert self-control is typically called willpower. Willpower is what allows people to direct their individual attention, and is reflected in all kinds of achievements, from school to the workplace. Studies have suggested that self-control changes over a lifetime, and can be improved with constant practice.

Use of rewards, routines, and mindfulness are a few possible ways to establish better habits and regulate long-term behavior. Another way of sustaining better habits is to be aware of the triggers that can result in lost self-control and the best way to overcome is to shrug those triggers.