That's Fit

Do you know any impulse buyers? You know, those folks who just can't pass up purchasing something that strikes their fancy. Maybe you fit this category. I do. Sometimes. Well, if you buy on impulse, then you might eat on impulse too because both practices are securely rooted in the brain.

"The prefrontal cortex, just behind the forehead, helps control impulsivity," says Patrick Haggard, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University College London. "People who act more spontaneously often have less activity in this area."

There may not be anything you can do about the impulses that drive your behavior but becoming aware of this tendency can help you control the impulses that might get you into trouble.

Want tips for cutting back on impulse buying? Click here. How about impulse eating? Click here.

FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

I don't do well with sitting still. Truth be told, it makes me tired. If I keep moving, I stay awake. So in general, I keep moving. On occasion, I do give in to relaxation. I love pedicures, a good massage, vegging in front of the TV at night, and sometimes, I might even be caught sitting silently, soaking up the peace around me. If done properly, this practice is known as meditation.

Meditation means sitting quietly and focusing on one neutral thing, like your breathing or a single repeated word. The long-term goal of meditation is to become less dependent on the ego and its constant cravings for novelty, attention, power, sex, food, and so on. Proper meditation makes us more centered and less stressed out. It can make people happier, maybe even smarter. One study showed that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex -- brain waves in the stress-prone right frontal cortex move to the calmer left frontal cortex. This shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression, and anxiety. Meditators also enjoy less activity in the amygdala, where the brain processes fear.