'Life Satisfaction' versus instant pleasure
The latest in research on what makes people happy in the long run: Thousands of seniors over 65 were asked what is important to their happines. The top answers, according to psychologist Dr. Rich O'Neill from Upstate's Institute for Decision -Making Excellence and Leadership: being engaged with other people with similar likes, and being mobile to be able to continue those relationships and social activities. Having money did not come up as a major factor, as long as one is not impoverished.
One impediment, as people age, is maintaining balance and staying fit to prevent falls, which are often the start of physical disability for seniors. O'Neill suggested simple exercises--including sitting down and standing up from a chair, then holding on to the chair back and going up and down on your toes.
There's more on the study, and other references.
