Stress can weaken self control

London: Even moderate levels of stress can impair self-control, a new study has revealed. In the study, 29 participants underwent a treatment known to induce moderate stress in the laboratory before they were asked to choose between two food options.

An additional 22 participants did not undergo the treatment, which involved being observed and evaluated by the experimenter while immersing a hand in an ice water bath for three minutes, before choosing between the food options. All of the participants who were selected for the study were making an effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so the study presented them with a conflict between eating a very tasty but unhealthy item and one that is healthy but less tasty.