The secret to avoiding the drive-thru? Hold the wheel with your left hand.

In a new Australian study, people who practiced exercises with their non-dominant hand—your left hand if you’re a rightie, or vice versa—for just 2 weeks were less likely to act on an impulse than those who used their stronger hand.

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Training your self-control in one area can help you accomplish goals in many other areas, too, says study author Thomas F. Denson, Ph.D., professor at the University of New South Wales. Holding yourself to a promise to hit the gym a few times a week, for instance, may help you control the urge to splurge on food.

Here’s how it works: You brain has a network of circuits that helps you practice all forms of self-control. Practicing it in one domain—i.e., using your non-dominant hand— can lead to better discipline in another domain, such as controlling your anger. When you practice self-control, your body is forced to monitor your behavior and override the impulse to act on habit, says Denson. (Did you know stress can shrink your brain?)

Practice impulse control by using your computer mouse or holding your coffee mug with your other hand for a few moments each day. And if you need to boost your creativity at work, learn 5 genius ways to find some inspiration.

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Cassie Shortsleeve Freelance Writer Cassie Shortsleeve is a skilled freelance writer and editor with almost a decade of experience reporting on all things health, fitness, and travel.

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