Discovering the formula for happiness: free time as a key tool
Physical, personal, and work pressures can cloud our perception of well-being. Science has searched for the secret to complete happiness for a long time and finally, a recent study talked about the importance of free time.
In a world full of routines, commitments, and little space for personal care, a recent study determines the direct relationship between happiness and the amount of time we dedicate to activities that we are passionate about and genuinely enjoy.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California teamed up to explore this relationship in depth. They analyzed the daily habits of more than 35,000 individuals, seeking to understand how free time impacts their subjective well-being.
They discovered that more freedom does not always equal greater happiness, since excess free time can lead to feelings of loneliness or purposelessness.
The study’s conclusions suggest that people need an average of between 2 and 3 hours of free time per day to achieve optimal emotional well-being. This time provides the necessary disconnection without falling into boredom or overwhelming inactivity.
It is recommended to spend this time on light activities, such as watching a movie or taking a walk, although playing a sport will depend on the individual’s preferences.
The report emphasizes that free time is essential, but its excess can be counterproductive, making it difficult to channel emotions and sensations. Having between 2 and 3 hours of daily leisure places happiness at its maximum, while exceeding 5 hours can have negative effects on subjective well-being.
Marissa A. Sharif, lead author of the study and marketing expert at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, comments that “most people have too little free time, but too much free time is not always better. Sometimes it is even related to lower subjective well-being, due to lack of productivity.”
These investigations demonstrate the importance of finding a balance between time for responsibilities and leisure, but above all in taking full advantage of free time in the search for happiness.
Some warnings from specialists about free time
Excessive free time can lead to feelings of loneliness or lack of purpose. Having more than 5 hours of free time per day can have negative effects on subjective well-being. Lack of productivity due to excess free time can negatively impact emotional well-being.