Study Reveals New Facts about Happiness

In a world filled with chaos and deadlines, one thing unites us all: the unrelenting pursuit of happiness! Because who wouldn’t pursue happiness? Ah, but here’s the twist: when it comes to happiness, there’s a battle between the here and now and the distant future. 

Welcome to the wild world of immediate vs. delayed happiness! While this is a very subjective and multifaceted topic, enter the world of research, where scientists have delved deep into the intricacies of our happiness choices. They’ve discovered that our preference for immediate or delayed happiness can significantly shape our behavior and overall well-being. Sounds interesting? Let’s hop in and understand this new finding! 

Bridging The Gap

Previous studies have explored the individuals, timing, and reasons behind the preference for immediate happiness over delayed happiness. However, these investigations have failed to investigate the connection between this preference and its impact on behaviour and overall well-being. 

To bridge this knowledge gap, a psychologist from the University at Buffalo has undertaken a unique research approach to examine the concept of happiness. The results, published in the journal Emotion, indicate that people’s beliefs about happiness play a significant role in shaping their daily goals and overall well-being.

Let’s Get Down To The Study

The advocates of “Carpe Diem” are on one end of the happiness spectrum. They support enjoying the present moment and grabbing happiness by the horns. They instantly feel happy, like when you pop a bubblegum and all the delicious goodness comes out!

But hold on tight—another tribe is roaming around the land of happiness. They are the “Wait for it!” warriors and advocates of delayed gratification. Their ideology is based on gathering happiness and storing it properly for later use. When individuals see happiness as something that accumulates over time, they tend to embrace the concept of “delaying happiness.”

Under the guidance of Lora Park, a team of researchers conducted studies involving college-aged and adult community participants. Their primary objective was to create a fresh scale to assess beliefs regarding delaying happiness versus embracing the present moment. They subsequently explored the advantages and disadvantages associated with these beliefs concerning happiness.

Here Are The Findings!

The findings indicate that choosing to delay happiness to focus on significant long-term goals can lead to increased levels of anticipated happiness and pride upon accomplishing those goals. However, there are drawbacks to this approach. Delaying happiness is also linked to experiencing higher levels of guilt, anxiety, and regret when engaging in activities that divert time and energy from pursuing long-term goals.

On the other hand, individuals who prioritize living in the moment tend to participate in more fun activities, even if they are unrelated to their long-term aspirations. This engagement in pleasurable experiences contributes to higher levels of positive emotions and overall well-being.

Park’s research revealed that beliefs about happiness tend to be stable but can also be influenced by societal messages that assign different importance to the cumulative or fleeting nature of happiness. According to Park, there isn’t a definitive superior belief about happiness. Instead, it’s crucial to be aware of these diverse beliefs and remain open to flexibility in our own perspectives. This awareness and flexibility can play a significant role in maximizing overall well-being in our daily lives.