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According to an American study, indulging in small daily pleasures contributes to our happiness and well-being, especially during times of stress.
Treating yourself to a croissant, having a coffee in the sun, hanging out in bed… So many seemingly insignificant gestures, but which are nevertheless essential for our mental health. This is at least the conclusion of a study published in the journal Journal of Consumer Research.
Good in your body, good in your head!
It’s in times of stress that you have to take advantage of the little pleasures
As part of this investigation, the researchers conducted a series of behavioral tests, spread over several years.
They were particularly interested in the “constraints” related to time, money and mental health, and how they can affect our emotional well-being.
To do this, the scientists showed participants an advertisement representing a fictitious product and measured their interest in it.
They added a slogan to this product – for 50% of the volunteers – which encouraged to consume it with a thought directed towards happiness: “Reserve time for yourself” or “Create a special moment”, for example.
After seeing this advertisement, the volunteers then had to treat themselves.
Results ? Participants who felt “stressed” at the beginning were much happier and more relaxed after this moment of pleasure.
“When people are anxious, they think they won’t be able to focus on pleasing themselves and therefore won’t take advantage of it, and so they don’t seize opportunities to treat themselves. gifts. This way of thinking goes against well-being. It’s when we feel the most stressed that we can enjoy the little pleasures the most.“, confirms Jacqueline Rifkin, author of the research, in a statement.