Struggling With Holiday Temptations Can Be Difficult: Los Angeles Psychologist Weighs In With Advice

Dec. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Clearly, there are many more opportunities to give in to those devilish temptations. It is also a time when we are subject to peer pressure and the tensions and pressure that can come from our family and relatives.  Dr Joanne Barge, a notable psychologist in Brentwood California, offers some advice on how to avoid those pesky temptations that run rampant during the holiday season.

First off, “one problem is that we are easily seduced by immediate gratification. Whatever feels good in the moment somehow becomes more important than our longer term goals. We often compromise our future health or happiness for immediate gratification; somehow we just forget about the bigger picture or what might be important to us down the road.”

After all no one wants to end up with a credit card bill that they cannot pay, or be 15 pounds heavier come the first of the year.  So keeping in mind the consequences of our actions in the longer term can help deter us in the moment.

“Clearly, we need to think about our longer term goals and make them important if we are going to resist immediate gratification. Unfortunately, this can be easier said than done. Studies have shown that our brains will not always handle too much self-control or willpower all at once. Research in neuroscience has shown that when we exert too much control in one area of our lives, we are not likely to be able to control another. A simple way of putting this is to say that we need balance in our lives,” Dr Barge.

However, there can be other confounding variables that can play a part in our ability to make sound decisions.

“It is also true that if we have been subjected to a great deal of stress in our lives, we will be less likely to avoid temptations. This is because most of our "control energy" has been exhausted by managing the stress and holding ourselves together in spite of it, “ notes Dr Barge.

In other words, we must learn to take care of ourselves if we are to resist those temptations that can later lead to regret.

“Balance is critical, and so is adequate sleep and nutrition. Sleep is important because it is the time that our brain is rejuvenating itself so that we can handle situations put before us. Diet or nutrition is important because our brain needs its fuel. While the brain accounts for a mere 2 percent of our body mass, it consumes at least 75 percent of our body's energy, i.e., glucose. This amazing fact has been demonstrated in numerous research studies. It is very important that we have our three or four meals a day. Size can vary but we need our nutrition; our brains need their adequate supply of glucose in order to function well.”

Clearly there are so many biomedical changes taking place within our bodies that we are unaware of on a momentary basis, and taking care of ourselves is essential.  But its not just about taking adequate care of our basic needs like appropriate diet and sleep, its also important to keep our thought processes healthy.  

Dr Barge weighs in.  “Being in control of ourselves is also a function of the expectations and beliefs we hold about ourselves. If we don't think we can do it, then we probably won't. We need to believe in ourselves in order to stick to our goals. Sometimes it takes some behavioral change and the actual experience of doing things differently before we can believe in ourselves. One way to get here is by thinking a situation through and making some mental plans on how to handle it.”

Dr. Barge suggests we try to imagine the situations you will be in and think through how you might deal with them.

“Make a plan and do your best to stick by it, e.g., if Joe offers me a Long Island Iced Tea, I will say "I am not drinking tonight or I only want a glass of wine, thank you." If Susan brings me her delicious chocolate cream pie, I will only have a half sliver of it. Or perhaps you decide to avoid that store where you know you might spend too much money.”

In summary she believes we should do the best we can to take care of ourselves before putting ourselves in tempting or dangerous situations.

“Don't start out too hungry, tired or emotionally stressed. Think seriously about your long-term goals and how you might achieve them, one situation at a time, and one day at a time. If you feel you are overly stressed or weak at this time, consider the buddy system. Yes, ask a friend to help you stick to your goals.”

Her essential lesson here however, is to not forget that it is the holiday season, a time to rejoice and have some fun. The key is balance.

Visit drbarge.com for more information on Dr. Joanne Barge and her practice, and http://therapist90049.blogspot.com/ for more of her advice and insight.

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Dr. Joanne Barge can help your marriage with marriage counseling, even if there has been a cheating spouse. She is a specialist in problems associated with attachment, including grief therapy. Dr. Barge can help with addiction or substance abuse. Anger issues are often tied to issues in relationships. Dr. Barge can help with anger management.

If you are struggling with marital issues, anger, addiction, grief, or your emotions are in the way of your ability to fully function at home or work, Dr. Barge has been helping people just like you to move through life's most difficult days.