According to neuroscientists, this is the most important decision you'll ever make

And it's one we are faced with many times throughout our lives
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Life is full of decisions - they range from the smallest, such as what you will eat for breakfast, to the largest, such as who you will marry and what career path you will take.

But, according to the neuroscientist Moran Cerf from Northwestern University, the most important decision you can make in terms of your happiness is who you choose to spend your time with.

Cerf has been studying decision-making for more than 10 years and believes that choices surrounding experiences, money, possessions and personal beliefs are not as significant, when it comes to happiness, as choosing our friends.

Cerf told Business Insider that the reason for this is two-fold:

1. Making decisions is tiring

Firstly, decision-making saps our energy and a large amount of research has shown that we have limited mental energy to make choices. All of the little decisions we make throughout the day take mental energy to make.

2. Decisions do not mean we are in control

Secondly, Cerf believes that making the 'right' choices will not lead to being in control of your happiness. Humans think if they make the correct decisions they will be satisfied and happy but Cerf suggests that we are often influenced by our emotions and social cues, which may mean a rational choice becomes irrational.

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Why is our company so important?

Who we spend time with is key as Cerf's neuroscience research has shown that, when two people spend time together, their brain waves start to look the same.

"The more we study engagement, we see time and again that just being next to certain people actually aligns your brain with them," Cerf said. "This means the people you hang out with actually have an impact on your engagement with reality beyond what you can explain. And one of the effects is you become alike."

People's behaviour can influence those around them. Funny people can make others feel lighter for example, whereas moody people can make those around them feel more down.

How to maximise happiness

Cerf concludes that the best way to increase your happiness and satisfaction in life is to make fewer decisions and to associate with people who have the personality traits you prefer. Over time, you will pick up these traits and behaviours yourself.

He also believes we should make fewer decisions on a daily basis and restore energy for the big decisions. For example, Cerf always chooses the second thing on the menu to avoid having to make a decision.

The people you surround yourself with will influence your life and will subconsciously have an impact on your decision-making. So choose wisely.

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