This article is part of a series that highlight key points in the book, The Willpower Instinct, in order to help readers of Vegan Soapbox increase their willpower so they’re better able to make the leap into vegetarianism, veganism, raw veganism, or animal advocacy. Most readers already have the “why” part of the vegan equation, but some may need the “how.” Willpower is a component of how to go vegan.

In this series I quote from the book a segment that captures an important concept. Then I illustrate that concept with an example or two that I feel works well for Soapbox readers. The articles here will loosely follow the book from beginning to end.

This is part 3: Stress. To back up to part 2, click here. And if you want to go to the beginning and start with part 1, click here.

Here’s your quote:

“Willpower can be disrupted by sleep deprivation, poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and a host of other factors that sap your energy, or keep your brain and body stuck in a chronic stress response. To every doctor, diet guru, or nagging spouse convinced that willpower is just a matter of making up your mind, this research should be a reality check. Yes, your mind is important, but your body also needs to get on board.”

The book cites many studies that show how stress interferes with our ability to exert self-control.

Have you ever noticed that it’s much harder to stick to healthy eating around the holidays? Part of why that is has to do with the fact that the holidays are stressful. Even if there weren’t tons of candy, chocolate and other fatty or sugary foods everywhere, it would still be harder than normal to eat well. The stresses of travel, shopping, budgeting, managing family conflict, and other issues make sticking to a healthy diet difficult.

Stress is why people find it easier to do Meatless Mondays rather than Meatless Fridays or Saturdays. The beginning of the week (and the beginning of the year) tend to be times when people feel they have more self-control, probably in part because there are fewer competing challenges vying for personal attention. If you’re not yet vegan, why not start with Meatless Mondays?

As an animal advocate, I’ve found that I tend to have more success encouraging people to try veganism when I do vegan education early in the week on Mondays or Tuesdays rather than on weekends. That’s because people feel more in control on those days and they approach the idea of dietary changes with more optimism.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to plan your vegan transition for a time when you won’t have many other stressors. Committing to a new lifestyle can be challenging so when you have other major challenges to contend with, your willpower reserve may run dry and you may find yourself falling into animal-eating relapse. Set yourself up for success by transitioning to vegan living when it’s most convenient for you (perhaps during a staycation or when your work duties are lowest). Mark the date on the calendar and plan for it. Don’t let yourself put it off for too long though, actually pick a date and plan for it.

The planning will also lesson the stress of going vegan. If you set the date for a month from now, that gives you a whole month to prepare by gathering recipes, finding veg-friendly restaurants, getting to know local vegans who can help you, and cleaning out your pantry of nonveg foods. You’ll be able to do a lot of the hard part of your vegan transition without the actual stress associated with the difficult psychological feelings that accompany any major life change. And it will make the change so much easier.

Another method is to take a baby-step approach to well-being. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to go vegan (or improve your vegan diet) but don’t start there. Start with something easier that will help alleviate stress, which in turn will help you achieve your ultimate goal. For example, aim to improve your sleep quality or increase your activity level. Start small and accept that gradual change is often the most long-lasting. Eventually build up to the changes that you perceive to be the most difficult.

Lastly, remember that progress often takes a roundabout path. You might succeed by taking two steps forward, one step back over and over. That’s OK. Some relapse is actually pretty normal. Just keep your eye on the goal and take it step by step.

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Sections: Vegan Resources
Topics: book, chronic stress response, diet, energy, exercise, lifestyle, meatless mondays, mind over matter, self-control, sleep, stress, veg, willpower, willpower instinct