Eating healthy and staying in shape for men’s health can be difficult, especially during the holiday season. It is all too easy to indulge in your favorite foods, as well as alcohol, and get sucked into an unhealthy lifestyle. But how do we make sure that we prioritize our long-term health over instant gratification? Let’s take a look at the science behind why this is important and find out how to stay on track with our goals even during the holiday season.
Instant Gratification vs Long-Term Gratification
We are all familiar with the idea of instant gratification versus long-term gratification—but what does it mean exactly? Instant gratification is when you give into your desire now to feel good right away. This could be eating a piece of cake, drinking wine, or purchasing something beforehand and paying later. On the other hand, long-term gratification means delaying those desires now in order to achieve a greater benefit down the line. In this case, that could mean eating healthy food, drinking plenty of water and fresh juices, and paying today for a reward later.
When this concept is applied to men’s health, it simply means the lifestyle choices you should make to stay healthy. When you are on the road to changing yourself and becoming healthy, you make many choices that might not give you instant gratification. For example, exercising might sound tough, but it will boost your strength, stamina, and testosterone. Eating fruits instead of fast food might not be the most gratifying thing to do, but in the long run, you won’t be suffering from hospital visits.
To keep your eyes on the long-term gratification, just remember that you have worked hard to get on ‘the being healthy’ journey. Simply giving in to your desires this holiday season will give you instant gratification but you might put your hard work in the dirt.
The Science Behind Instant Gratification
There is a biological reason why instant gratification can be so tempting. Our brains are wired to prefer immediate rewards rather than long-term rewards because behavior that leads to immediate rewards has a higher chance of survival (e.g., eating food when hungry). As such, our brains are hardwired for short-term thinking, which makes it difficult for us to focus on our long-term health goals if there is something immediately rewarding available (e.g., sweet treats). It is especially important to notate that this has a huge affect on men’s health.
How To Stay Motivated During The Holiday Season?
During this holiday season, it can be even harder than usual to stay motivated and maintain long-term health goals, given all of the delicious treats around every corner! Here are some tips to help you stay focused:
• Find an accountability buddy – Having someone to keep you accountable will help motivate you to stick with your goals even during tough times like the holidays!
• Set short-term goals – Rather than focusing on one big goal, try setting smaller goals that are more achievable in the short term. This will make it easier for you to stay motivated and succeed in your men’s health joourney!
• Reward yourself – Find ways to reward yourself that don’t involve unhealthy habits or foods, like getting yourself a nice massage or taking a weekend trip somewhere fun!
Staying motivated during the holiday season can be challenging. Still, with these tips, you should be able to maintain your long-term health goals without sacrificing any of your favorite holiday traditions or treats! Remember — instant gratification may seem appealing but ultimately, having control over your body through healthy eating habits and regular exercise will lead to better physical and mental well-being in the future. This holiday season, men’s health goes side by side with long-term gratification. So, Happy Holidays!
**This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any treatment. Individual results may vary based on health conditions and other factors.
