The term Instant gratification has a poor rep. It is frequently related to persons who are impatient and lack discipline. Those who can resist immediate enjoyment in favor of long-term rewards and earnings are superior in some way.
Instant pleasure does not seem so horrible in this age of mindfulness. Where we are told to cherish the present moment. Death will come to all of us, yet it is a subject that is largely taboo and rarely spoken. As a result, many people are oblivious to their eventual fate. They sock away limitless savings in the hopes of one day being able to cash in on their self-control and live off the proceeds indefinitely. This method has some sense to it. And we are not talking about balanced long-term planning. Many people do not enjoy their life today in favor of some hazy vision of a future paradise.
Need to reduce instant gratification for better mental health
However, impulsivity may not be solely related to people’s willingness to wait for the reward for a long time. As people waited for a reward, they saw visualizing the future. Researchers noticed higher activity in the part of the brain that helps you think about the future in more patient people. It appears that the patient people spent more time visualizing themselves receiving their prize later. The health consequences for impulsive people who regularly make judgments that satisfy their current demands at the expense of their future requirements can be severe. Neuroeconomics study could be useful for a variety of public health issues involving impulsivity. The consequences of an intervention on the brain could be measurable in the future. Thus, instant gratification needs reduction. As it affects our mental health.
Three strategies to dealing with rapid satisfaction and making more mindful judgments that will benefit you in the long term are here.
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Recognize your urges for instant gratification and postpone your activities.
We all have urges to check email or social media during the day. As well as cravings for sugary and fatty foods, procrastination, and distractions. Instead of responding on an impulse right away, take a moment to think about it. Allow some time to pass between your desire and your action. Take a deep breath. And slowly count to ten.
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Make informed decisions about how you wish to deal with your urges.
You have power over yourself in any situation. Particularly your ideas and actions. It is entirely up to you to choose how you wish to react to your urges. Consider the repercussions of giving in to your instinct versus resisting your want for a moment. Consider which option best supports your desired outcomes.
It is OK if you want to give in to your desires wanted now and again (as long as you are not following every urge). Making mindful selections rather than simply trying to satisfy your desires will help you make healthy choices.
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Accept your decisions and live in the present.
Accept your decision and enjoy the moment once you have made it. It is pointless to berate oneself for making a conscious decision. You can either eat the sweets or take a big breath and pass it up in favor of an apple. Both options have the potential to be pleasurable. One is the healthier option. If made consciously, each choice can lead to equal happiness.
You will succumb to your desires on occasion. That is perfectly OK. We are all guilty of it. There is nothing wrong with giving in now and again, but the key is to assess how you will feel later. Recognize when you wish you had made a different decision. Recognize when you can withstand temptation and avoid getting fast gratification. If you pay attention to how your decisions make you feel, they will improve over time. It is within your ability to make intentional decisions that will allow you to keep your commitments and lead to better health, focus, accomplishments, and life happiness.
Happiness- It is just more than immediate gratification
To sum up, the purpose of this paper is not to make immediate gratification sound like a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with getting rapid pleasure from social media, an ice cream cone, or a new pair of pants; take advantage of all the fun you can receive! Instant gratification only becomes an issue when individuals become reliant on it for all of their enjoyment. The sensation of immediate fulfillment is transient, meaning it would not endure forever. The things that require the most time are the ones that will make us happy (even if not right now). Putting in the effort, remaining patient, and exercising self-control are the actual keys to achieving long-term happiness. Instant gratification will not be enough if you wish to reach happiness.