From making hasty decisions to getting into fights, impulsivity can cause harm to yourself and those around you. In addition to undermining relationships and your overall sense of well-being, impulsive behaviors can also lead to financial and legal harm if left unchecked.

Is impulse a bad thing?

The authors of a recent paper, published in Nature Communications , define impulsivity as “responding without apparent forethought for the consequences of one's actions.” As they explain, being impulsive is not always a bad thing, but, “It can often lead to consequences that are undesired or unintended.”

Is impulsivity a good thing?

Impulsivity can boost and even enhance creative moments. If you've experienced the upside of impulsivity, then you are no stranger to the gnawing urge to spontaneously act out on a whim. Sometimes your impromptu actions can serve a good purpose.