Self-Control Is Contagious

Trying to be good this holiday season? Surround yourself with healthful eaters. Research shows self-control (or the lack of) is contagious.

Whether you’re trying to convince yourself to go for a walk or resist a chocolate-chip cookie, the company you keep could factor into your decision. Research shows that self-control is contagious.

If everyone around you is pigging out, chances are, you will too. Conversely, if everyone is practicing restraint at the buffet table, you’re likely to be angelic, too. That’s according to a study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, which found that even thinking about a friend with kryptonite-strength willpower was enough to help people practice self-control.

What that also means is, every time you eat well or exercise, you’re encouraging those around you to follow the same healthful pursuits.