Well-Being Mental Health

New study by top universities reveals very simple secret to happiness

Story at a glance

  • An individual’s view of leisure activity could have a significant effect on their mental health.
  • Researchers measured the relationship between a person’s view of leisure activities and their corresponding levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
  • They found that “if people start to believe that leisure is wasteful, they may end up being more depressed and more stressed.”

An individual’s view of leisure activity could have a significant effect on their mental health and well-being, new research suggests. 

Researchers from the Ohio State University, Harvard and Rutgers measured in a series of studies the relationship between a person’s view of leisure activities and their corresponding levels of stress, anxiety and depression. 

“There is plenty of research which suggests that leisure has mental health benefits and that it can make us more productive and less stressed,” study co-author Selin Malkoc, an associate professor of marketing at Ohio State University, said in a news release

“But we find that if people start to believe that leisure is wasteful, they may end up being more depressed and more stressed,” Malkoc added. 


READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA

WHY YOUR DEFINITION OF HAPPINESS IS PROBABLY MAKING YOU UNHAPPY

HARVARD’S HAPPINESS EXPERT SHARES THE TWO SECRETS TO BEING HAPPY

HERE’S WHAT THE ‘CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER’ ACTUALLY DOES AT ONE COMPANY

ONE IN FOUR ADULTS WITH DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY LACK ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

EVEN ONE NIGHT OF SLEEP LOSS AFFECTS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY


One study asked 199 college students to rate their level of enjoyment across a variety of activities. The students were also given a series of statements to measure the degree to which they found a particular activity was wasteful — “Time spent on leisure activities is often wasted time,” for example. 

The results suggest the more a student viewed the leisure as wasteful, the less enjoyment they found from the activities. Additionally, researchers noted a correlation between negative views on leisure and elevated levels of stress, depression and anxiety. 

Another study, which was conducted online, asked 302 participants how they celebrated Halloween days after the holiday in 2019 and were subsequently asked how they rated their experience. The researchers noted that participants whose overall views of leisure activities were negative found less enjoyment in the holiday festivities. 

“But those who participated in fun activities that fulfilled responsibilities, like trick or treating with your kids, didn’t see such a reduction in how much they enjoyed their Halloween,” said study co-author Gabriela Tonietto, an assistant professor of marketing at the Rutgers Business School.


America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.


The study also found a shift in the perception of an activity if it led to the completion of a larger goal. 

“If leisure can be framed as having some kind of productive goal, that helps people who think leisure is wasteful get some of the same benefits,” said study co-author Rebecca Reczek, professor of marketing at Ohio State in the release.

The findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology


READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA


EARLIER EXPERIENCES AFFECT OUR MOODS MORE THAN LATER EVENTS, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC MAY BE FELT IN YOUNG PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME TO COME

SLEEPING AND WAKING ONE HOUR EARLIER CUTS RISK OF DEPRESSION: STUDY

A THIRD OF KIDS AND ADOLESCENTS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AFTER A CONCUSSION

FOLLOW-UP STUDY FINDS A SINGLE DOSE OF ONE DRUG CAN EASE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FOR FIVE YEARS


Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.