The simple act of staying still is part of what makes meditation willpower training effective. You’re learning not to automatically follow every single impulse that your brain and body produce.

Kelly McGonigal, PhD, is an American health psychologist, lecturer, yoga practitioner, and author. She is known for her work translating discoveries in psychology and neuroscience into popular self-help strategies, most notably regarding the unexpected benefits of stress. She is a strong advocate of yoga, meditation, and self-compassion for physical and mental health.