Health Willpower Strategies with Nutritionist Jill Brook

In this episode, nutritionist Jill Brook discusses strategies to build willpower for healthier habits, focusing on those relevant to managing POTS. Willpower, which can be enhanced through practice, is crucial in maintaining healthy behaviors as POTS patients often face lifestyle adjustments that require consistent self-discipline. Brook outlines strategies supported by evidence from psychological research, such as focusing on one goal at a time, being specific with goals, leveraging accountability, and engaging in 'temporal bundling' (rewarding oneself for achieving health goals with enjoyable activities). She also offers practical advice on managing temptation through environmental engineering, like repositioning tempting foods out of sight, and establishing routines to make healthy choices automatic. Additionally, Brook highlights that factors like poor sleep, stress, and physical pain, all common in POTS patients, can weaken willpower but emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and creative problem-solving in overcoming these barriers.