Entrepreneurs Can Buy Happiness, According to a New StudyA new study reveals that to be happy and less stressed, spend money on saving time.

ByRose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

iStock / Getty Images Plus

Sometimes it doesn't feel like there's enoughtimein the day to get everything done. And for entrepreneurs and small-business owners, you're typically wearing a lot of hats and working long hours. So when it comes to completing non work-related tasks such as grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning, they can often fall to the bottom of yourto-do list.

Luckily today, with companies such as TaskRabbit and Uber, it's become easier to pay someone else to do these tasks for you and buy yourself more time to work on your business. It will cost you -- but it turns out many people are willing to pay. And that's a good thing, according to recent research.

Related:10 Facts About Happiness From Around the World

Thestudy, published in theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that people who spent money to save time were less stressed about how much time they had, and as a result, werehappier.

If you're stressed about drafting a pitch, coding your website or securing funding, doing small tasks such as grocery shopping and cleaning can sound like time-sucking nightmares. The good news is: outsourcing time-consuming tasks can not only give you the time to do what you do best, but keep you smiling.

"Money can buy happiness if you spend it right,"saidElizabeth Dunn, University of British Columbia psychology professor and co-author of the study.

In the study, researchers conducted a series of surveys with more than 6,000 people in the U.S., Denmark, Canada and the Netherlands to understand how a person's spending habits affects the way they feel. Overall, those who spent their money on things such as ordering takeout, taking a cab and hiring household help reported greater life satisfaction than those who spent their money on other things.

Related:9 Rules for Successful Time Management

作为企狗万官方业家,时间是非常宝贵的,何鸿燊wever, so is money. But the study found that whether a person was rich or poor, spending money on saving time boosted happiness levels. "If there's some task that just thinking about it fills you with dread, then it's probably worth considering whether you can afford to buy your way out of it," Dunn said.

So does that mean money can actually buy happiness?No. Buying new clothes, gadgets and other stuff doesn't in fact make you happier -- only buying time does. To test this, the researchers conducted another experiment where they provided participants $40 on two consecutive weekends and instructed them to spend the money on either material or timesaving purchases. Participants were asked their mood at the end of the day, and those who spent their money to save time were found to have less time-related stress and increased well-being. Material purchases did not have this effect.

Related:How to Manage Time With 10 Tips That Work

Yet, whether you're a busy entrepreneur, an employee or a c-suite executive -- it's important to be mindful of the tasks you outsource or automate. While we have the resources to automate nearly everything today, doing tasks such as cooking and driving can help you build a diverse set of skills and give you opportunities to spend quality time with your significant other or family members.

Wavy Line
Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Report: AI Will Take More Jobs Away from Women Than Men

Automation is many things, but apparently, it is not gender-neutral.

Business News

What Is a 'Lazy Girl Job'? New TikTok Trend Empowers Women to Work However They Want

The trend began as a way for women to find more free time during their days.

Growing a Business

3 Solutions That Help Alleviate Everyday Pressures Small Business Owners Face

We live in a world with increasing pressures from stakeholders, constantly changing customer expectations and volatile financial conditions — which for many, especially business owners — can make it hard to create clear distinctions between professional and personal emotions.

Starting a Business

10 Common Obstacles to Avoid When Starting a Business

Starting a new business can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Here are some common obstacles to avoid when starting a new business.

Starting a Business

So You Sold Your First Business and Now You're Starting a New One — Here's How to Make Sure It's a Success.

Starting a second company after selling your first can be daunting, but it's also an exciting opportunity to prove yourself and create something amazing.