Making daily life choices that provide long-term, non-immediate benefits rather than those that provide instant satisfaction lead to a happier life, a new study finds.
Researchers from the University of Kent and the University of Reading in the UK looked into how delayed gratification and daily life choices could impact a person's happiness.
They found decisions that required instant happiness hurt a person overall while making decisions that may not be as fun in the present but build towards future health led to more happiness.
For example, regularly exercising or eating a healthier diet may not be as instantly satisfying as other choices, but are more beneficial to happiness overall.
The research adds to a wealth of studies that show a healthier lifestyle leads to a more fulfilling life.
Exercising and eating healthier are decisions that may delay gratification, but lead to an overall happier life, a new study finds(file image)
Researchers, who published their findings in the Journal of Happiness Studies, gathered data from as far back as 2009, and more than 14,000 UK residents were included.
'Little attention has been paid to the impact of these changes on individual wellbeing,' the team wrote.
'In particular, should these changes be seen as giving up current pleasures and therefore reducing well-being or as giving us a greater sense of purpose and therefore making us feel more satisfied with our life?
'There has been an increasing push towards veganism and vegetarianism and there has been a shift towards the use of cycles, walking etc., largely because of environmental concerns.'
