Impulse control is often misunderstood. We think of it as something we either have or don’t have, but in reality, it’s more like a muscle that strengthens with use. When we experience an urge—whether to check our phones for the tenth time in an hour, interrupt a conversation, or eat out of boredom—our brain is reacting automatically, seeking quick relief. The key is learning how to pause and engage with that impulse in a new way, rather than simply acting on it.