Stop Romanticising Instant Gratification

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While instant gratification provides appealing short-term rewards, it has serious long-term consequences for our cognitive capacities, social relationships, and overall well-being

In an age where everything is available at the press of a button, we have unintentionally fallen into a trap of our own design. The attraction of quick gratification has become so embedded in our culture that we rarely contemplate the long-term consequences. While the rush of dopamine may feel nice in the moment, it’s time to take a closer look at this cultural phenomenon and its hidden effects.

Dr Chandni Tugnait, M.D. (Alternative Medicines), Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Business Coach, NLP Expert, Healer, Founder & Director – Gateway of Healing, says, “Contrary to popular belief, the greatest risk of instant gratification is not laziness or a lack of discipline. Rather, it is the steady loss of our ability to solve complicated problems and innovate. When we consistently seek short fixes and immediate outcomes, we unintentionally educate our brains to avoid the discomfort of prolonged effort and deep thought. This neuroplastic adaptation may result in a society less prepared to address the diverse challenges of the future.”

Moreover, immediate gratification culture is quietly altering our social fabric. As we become accustomed to fast responses in digital communication, we are losing the skill of patience in human interactions. This trend is gradually affecting the way we develop and maintain relationships, potentially leading to a society in which deep, meaningful connections become increasingly scarce.

“Another unintended consequence is the effect on our decision-making processes. The continual pursuit of immediate rewards can result in a type of temporal myopia in which we consistently underestimate future consequences. This cognitive bias affects more than just personal choices; it can also influence policymaking and long-term planning at the societal level, potentially leading to short-sighted judgments with far-reaching implications,” adds Dr Tugnait.

Interestingly, the instant gratification paradigm may be contributing to an unexpected increase in unhappiness and anxiety. “As we become accustomed to swift rewards, our pleasure threshold rises, trapping us in a hedonic treadmill from which it is increasingly difficult to break free. This phenomenon explains why, despite apparent gains in quality of life, mental health concerns are on the rise,” opines Dr Tugnait.

However, it’s important to remember that delayed gratification isn’t always better. The trick is to gain the discernment to recognise when to seek instant results versus long-term objectives. This balance is necessary for both personal and societal development.

Dr Tugnait shares, “To combat the habit of instant gratification, we require a diversified approach. Education systems should put a greater emphasis on teaching the importance of process over outcome. Businesses may benefit from including longer-term measures in their performance reviews. On a personal level, we can use mindfulness practices to become more comfortable with delayed rewards.”

As we move forward, we must critically analyse our connection to time and reward. While instant gratification provides appealing short-term rewards, it has serious long-term consequences for our cognitive capacities, social relationships, and overall well-being. We may create a more resilient, innovative, and ultimately fulfilled society by cultivating a culture that values patience, endurance, and long-term thinking. The journey may be difficult, but the benefits of delayed gratification – deeper relationships, more meaningful accomplishments, and a stronger sense of purpose – are well worth the effort. Now, the choice is ours to make.