Saying ‘some other time’ might be a method you employ to deter thirsty suitors whom you do not wish to see again.
But, new studies have shown that if you want to kick a filthy habit, you might wanna consider using that easy-let-down phrase a whole lot more.
An investigation into ~the power of free will~ by Associate Professor Nicole Mead of Erasmus University and Professor Vanessa Patrick of University of Houston has found that it’s better to tell your poor, craving-laden self that you can have that ciggy ‘some other time’ instead of ‘no, not ever’.
In the experiment, the researchers presented delicious, tempting, but ultimately unhealthy snacks to mere mortals, and measured what was most effective in reducing both their desire and consumption.
They found what all of us Big Mac-mavens already know to be true: that denying strong cravings for snacks sorta, really, definitely does not work.
Ronald, why u go make it look so good like, u sadistic clown?
On the contrary, when volunteers were asked to tell themselves they could have the enticing snack ‘some other time’, their desire vamoosed. To use the burger analogy once more, people who postponed eating the Big Mac ate less than half the amount eaten by people who tried to restrain themselves completely. Half! Like, one patty less!
Basically, the study shows that telling yourself ‘later, bae’ teaches the psyche an important lesson.
When you tell yourself to have that snack ‘some other time’, you can start to believe you don’t actually care so much about it. E.g. “If I don’t treat my body with reckless abandon and eat a Big Mac, Cheesey and 10 McNuggies now, I mustn’t actually like them that much.”
So go ahead, folks, and channel those impressive procrastination skills into eating that donut, having that ciggy, and texting that ex… later.
