When it comes to big decisions, trusting your gut is usually the best way to go.
Now experts have discovered that trusting your instincts is actually a good idea because it gives our mood a bigger boost.
Researchers from HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, in Germany, recruited 256 participants for their study.
They all received information about two different decision-making styles: analytical and intuitive.
Then, for two weeks, they reported via an app when they were about to make an everyday decision, such as what to eat for lunch, buy something, what to watch on TV or do something with friends.
Researchers from HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, Germany found that making everyday decisions based on instinct is a ‘surefire way to improve mood’ (Stock Image)
Analysis published in the journal Emotion revealed that simply making a decision – of any type – improved their mood, but relying on their feelings led to the biggest boost (stock image)
At this point they were told that they either had to make the decision analytically – weighing all the options – or they had to make the decision based on their gut feeling.
Participants were also asked to rate their mood just before and after making their decision, reporting how easy, pleasant and “right” their choice felt.
Analysis published in the journal Emotion revealed that simply making a decision – of any type – improved their mood, but relying on their feelings provided the biggest boost.
While intuitive decisions didn’t feel “better” than analytical ones, they did feel easier, which could explain the increased mood improvement.
The team also found that participants felt more satisfied with and liked their gut decisions more.
“This is the first empirical demonstration that using your feelings has beneficial effects in everyday life,” they wrote.
Previous studies have shown that easy and fast mental processing feels good, which could also explain the findings.