Good Living with Aprilanne

Depending on who you are - a new experience can be worth much more than a new object - and will also be better for your health.

Research suggests people will gain more lasting benefits from spending on  experiential purchases than from buying material objects - interesting huh.   Some may disagree pointing out that taking a ride in the country in a spankin’ new BMW will bring far more enjoyment that taking a ride in the country in an old pick-up, and that a picnic on champagne and caviar will give you more happiness than a picnic of bread and water.  In both examples, the amount of money invested in the “objects” enhanced the “experience” proportionately.  While these may “technically” be valid points - proponents of this line of thinking may be missing the basic point.

AcumulatingMoney.com explains it quite simply: “people receive more enduring pleasure and satisfaction from investing in life experiences than material possessions.”   “We don’t get bored of happy memories like we do with a material object.”

For example, taking a surfing lesson will give you much more to remember and chat up with your friends about than buying a new shirt or pair of shoes will - which can easily cost the same amount.  New experiences such as taking a cooking class, a horse back ride on the beach, or going scuba diving for instance, will provide more residual positive memories to share with others than a new car ever will.

That said, other factors do come into play when we are dealing with a person’s desire or need for material things - such as a person’s development level of thier self-worth, and where they find themselves on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid.

For instance, a person seeking “self-esteem” and “respect by others” -qualities listed on the green tier in the pyramid,  may not buy into the notion that “experiences are better to invest in than material things” since they are still trying to achieve “self-actualization.” Perhaps that new “benz” is the just the “vehicle” that will get them where they need to be (in their mind anyway).  A person without a job, or lacking the security of a safe home environment cannot be expected to lay out the ching for a “beach getaway” over investing in a new outfit for job hunting, or paying a higher rent in order to live in a safer neighborhood.

My conclusion on the concept that ” Buying Experiences, Not Possessions, Leads to Greater Happiness” is that it really depends on where a person is in their lives in order to be able to acknowledge, understand, and appreciate the simple pleasures of everyday life. On any given day we can experience the  sound of singing birds, see the beauty of the sun rise, inhale the sweetness of a rose, and feel what it’s like to be in love….all free experiences for the taking.

A  homeless person on the street may not enjoy a sunset the same way a person would enjoy the same exact sunset from their steamy hot tub sipping a cold drink.   To the person on the bottom tier of Maslow’s pyramid  - this suset may represent the closing of another day in hell on earth, with the anticipation of yet another cold, homeless night ahead to endure.  To a “self-actualized” person - this sunset could symbolize the perfect ending to another day in paradise, with the promise of more great things to come - it’s all about “perception” really.

Stress, among other factors, can take a toll on a person’s happiness, and the act of getting out and “experiencing” in itself is a great way to take one’s mind off some of those things bogging them down.  Since “money” or the lack of it is a common theme these days - spending “quality time” with nature, family, and friends may be a great way to enjoy life ~ without the guilt spending money can bring.  So maybe it’s time to take that hike you’ve been meaning to go on, enjoy that ride in the country, or spend a day at the beach…or do what ever it is that makes YOU happy - because after all is said and done one age old adage still rings true - “the best things in life are free.” Enjoy ~ Aprilanne

Get “Toned by Tonight” with Aprilanne - No Gym Required!

Looking for a “Quickie Workout” that will get your body totally toned sans the gym?  Well while you can’t change your body in a day - you can look more toned and defined by nightfall with California Living’s “Toned-By-Tonight Workout”™ No gym or fancy equipment required!

1. Limit your intake of salt and salty foods to avoid excessive bloating and water retention for at least 3 days before the event.

2. Avoid alcoholic beverages a few days before the event.

3. Get you “beauty sleep” - consistently aim for at least 7-8 hours a night to be well rested and look your best.

4. Do 12 reps of each exercise - 3 times in a row and try to do the routine 3 days a week if you want to maximize it’s muscle firming benefits.

5. Work in at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise a day. You can hike, bike, swim, walk, just get active and have some fun!

6. Eat a well balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and avoid eating 3 hours before you go to bed.

7. Drink 8 glasses of water a day; and add green tea to your day.

8. Enjoy your event looking and feeling your best!

Aprilanne Hurley CN - is a Certified Health Professional specializing in Public Nutrition Education and Weight Management in the Lifecycle.  Please forward your nutrition, dieting/weight loss questions to Aprilanne @ info@insidelooktv.com or post a reply below - thank you!

Site Disclaimer:  The content on this site is for informational purposes and is not intended to cure or treat any disease or illness.   Please consult with your doctor or health care provider prior to starting any new diet or exercise regimen.