Self-control, alone, sounds like a selfish term; but if you cannot help yourself, you will have limited ability to help others. Self-control is the ability to make the most of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. In other words, be the best you can be.

As a result of your efforts, you will be able to help everyone around you. In order for you to change the world around you, for the better, you have to change yourself for the better, along the way.

You can’t sit on top of a mountain waiting for perfection before helping your neighbor. The time to help is now, and we must look at ourselves as works in progress. Value yourself for who you are, for what you are and for what you have achieved so far.

Appreciate your friends, family, and associates for who they are. Accept them, as they are, without expecting perfection. This is a common mistake that parents make with their children, but it also occurs in a variety of relationships. Therefore, put aside the demands of others, especially unrealistic demands.

Where do we begin to learn the secrets of self-control? If you accept the things that surround you, without demands, you have already taken the first step. There are two important factors here.

1. Once you accept people and situations for what they are, you won’t waste time or energy in frustration. This causes internal frustration, emotional turmoil, worry, and depression.

2. Once you change yourself, through positive self-control, the world around you will change for the better, without much effort on your part.

You won’t be able to make all the changes to mind, body, and spirit at once, but they are connected.

The first major component is physical. Your body needs constant maintenance in a variety of methods: weight resistance, flexibility, and cardiovascular strength all require you to cross-train. So if you’ve been on the couch for too long, it’s time to get off. This physical change, of daily exercise, will help you in all aspects of life. You will feel better about yourself.

If you don’t have enough time for three types of exercise, try at least one that will give you the most benefits. Hatha yoga, swimming, and martial arts are good recommendations, as they each train the body with quite a bit of variety.

In many yoga classes, sun salutations are a series of poses and the ultimate cross-training exercise. Once you are familiar with them, you can practice at home. They require very little space and no equipment, although many yoga practitioners use a yoga mat or sticky mat at home.