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Self-Regulatory Strength and Mindfulness

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Handbook of Mindfulness and Self-Regulation

Abstract

The authors review evidence for the strength model of self-regulation (self-control), and discuss relations between mindfulness and self-regulation. The strength model of self-control suggests that exerting self-control may consume some limited resource and reduce the amount of strength available for subsequent self-control tasks. Another key feature of the strength model of self-control suggests that regular exercise can, over time, increase the strength or ability of self-control. In this way, self-control is said to resemble a muscle. Mindfulness and self-regulation appear to have some features in common. Increased mindfulness and increased self-regulatory ability both offer substantial benefits for living a healthy and successful life across several domains. Furthermore, exercises used to increase mindfulness are similar to exercises used to increase self-control. It seems likely, then, that mindfulness and self-control ability have a bidirectional relationship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Michael J. MacKenzie & Roy F. Baumeister

Authors
  1. Michael J. MacKenzie
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  2. Roy F. Baumeister
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Correspondence to Michael J. MacKenzie .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Brian D. Ostafin

  2. Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA

    Michael D. Robinson

  3. Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

    Brian P. Meier

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MacKenzie, M.J., Baumeister, R.F. (2015). Self-Regulatory Strength and Mindfulness. In: Ostafin, B., Robinson, M., Meier, B. (eds) Handbook of Mindfulness and Self-Regulation. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2263-5_8

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