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According to a new study, a certain number of hours of free time would allow us, on a daily basis, to be perfectly fulfilled. Explanations.
On this International Day of Happiness, researchers have tried to determine the number of hours of free time we would need to be happy. And the result is quite edifying.
Two hours of free time per day
For this study, published in theAmerican Psychology Associationscientists surveyed 21,736 Americans between 2012 and 2013 about their amount of free time and associated well-being.
Result ? The researchers found that as free time increased, well-being also increased, but leveled off at around two hours of free time per day.
A time for yourself necessary, but not always easy to get free, between work, household chores, homework management…
In fact, women devote nearly 3 hours and 26 minutes per day to domestic tasks (housework, shopping, child care, etc.) compared to 2 hours for men (Insee 2010 data).
They would nevertheless still have a little time to go about their activities (2h45 a day is devoted to their leisure) but still less than the men, who benefit from a 3h20 break.
Good in your body, good in your head!
No more than 5 hours per day
Another notable finding of the study: excess free time would be “harmful”. Beyond 5 hours, happiness would decline. Too much free time would even increase stress, according to the researchers.
“People often complain of being too busy and express the need for more time. But is more free time actually linked to greater happiness? We found that the lack of “constrained” hours in the day leads to increased stress and lower subjective well-being“, reveals Professor Marissa Sharif, lead author of the article.
Ultimately, the researchers indicate that a “moderate” free time is ideal, provided that it is well used: it is better to read, play sports, play a musical instrument… rather than remain passive in front of the television or on his mobile phone.