Paid Content

Wellbeing Study Shows Believing You Have Unlimited Willpower Could Make You Happier

Why Believing You Have Loads Of Willpower Could Make You Happier
|

People who think they have unlimited willpower are likely to be happier, a new study has shown.

Researchers found that those who believe they have increased willpower have a greater chance of feeling content with their lives and experience higher levels of wellbeing.

Meanwhile those who feel they have less willpower are likely to feel more stressed.

This, researchers believe, is because people who think they have unlimited willpower are better able to cope when life gets more demanding.

Open Image Modal

Researchers studied over 250 people who used internet forums to share feelings of stress - those surveyed had an average age of 39.

Participants who felt their willpower was unlimited experienced higher levels of satisfaction and happiness.

In a secondary study, they asked university students to document what they believed their willpower was like and to report their life satisfaction at the beginning of the academic year, and again six months later during exam season.

They found that those who reported limited willpower experienced a huge drop in wellbeing during exam season.

In both studies, researchers ruled out variables including levels of optimism and pessimism.

The study's authors said: "A [non-limited] theory about willpower encourages people to successfully strive for and make progress towards personally meaningful goals."

The study, called ‘Implicit theories about willpower predict subjective well-being’, was published in the Journal of Personality.

10 House Plants To De-Stress Your Home
Aloe Plant(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
The gel of the aloe plant has a number of healing properties. Not only does it soothe skin burns and cuts, it can also help to monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plants' leaves will display brown spots. Just an FYI: It grows best with lots of sun. (credit:Shutterstock)
English Ivy(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
NASA scientists listed the English ivy as the number one best air-filtering houseplant, as it is the most effective plant when it comes to absorbing formaldehyde. It's also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable -- try it as a hanging or a floor plant. Grow in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight. (credit:Alamy)
Rubber Tree(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Rubber trees are good for cleaning the air and are one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates. The low-maintenance plant is a powerful toxin eliminator and air purifier. (credit:Flickr: bobdole369)
Peace Lily(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
The beautiful peace lily plant is a wonderful low-maintenance flower to keep in the home. Peace lilies do well in shade and cooler temperatures, and they can reduce the levels of a number of toxins in the air. (credit:Flickr: Fortinbras)
Snake Plant(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Snake plants don't need much light or water to survive, so they're an easy choice for any corner of your home. The plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen during the night (while most plants do so during the day), so add one to your bedroom for a clean-air boost. (credit:Flick: Uncle Vinny)
Bamboo Palm(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
The attractive bamboo palm also made NASA's list of top clean-air plants with a purifying score of 8.4. It's also particularly effective at clearing out benzene and trichloroethylene. These need to be well-watered, in shade or indirect sunlight. (credit:Flickr: notmargaret)
Philodendron(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
The heart-shaped philodendron is a popular plant choice for indoor areas, as they're easy to care for and can grow decorative vines. Like the English ivy, they are particularly good at absorbing formaldehyde. They can also last for many years when properly cared for. Grow with moderate water and some sunlight and they'll be fine. (credit:Flickr: Julia Folsom)
Spider Plant(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
One of the most common house plants, spider plants are decorative, easy to grow, and also make the NASA list of the best air-purifying plants. Spider plants are effective at fighting pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene. (credit:Flickr: madaise)
Red-Edged Dracaena(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
This beautiful, vibrant plant can grow to be ceiling-height (15-foot dracaenas are common), making it a great plant for decorating and filling up space. It also removes toxins including xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. Grows best in sunlight. (credit:Flickr: ambientfusion)
Golden Pothos(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
The golden pothos makes the NASA list for its ability to clear formaldehyde from the air. Try adding it to your kitchen or living room as a hanging plant, as the leaves will grow down in cascading vines. They grow easily in cool temperatures will low levels of sunlight. (credit:Flickr: eraine)