Stress and exhaustion may turn us into zombies, but a novel
study by USC researchers shows that mindless behavior doesn’t just lead to
overeating and shopping sprees — it can also cause us to stick with behaviors
that are good for us.
Across five experiments appearing in the June issue of the
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the American
Psychological Association, the researchers provide an important new twist to
the established idea that we have finite resources for self-regulation, meaning
it’s harder to take control of our actions when we’re already stressed or
tired. Turns out we’re just as likely to default to positive habits, such as
eating a healthy breakfast or going to the gym, as we are to self-sabotage.