Study finds limits to free time benefits

A study published in September 2021 by the American Psychological Association suggests that while free time can improve happiness, there is a limit to how much rest can contribute to well-being. Researchers found that after a certain point, having too much free time can actually increase stress and reduce happiness.

Experiments with large groups

The study involved four experiments, including analyzing the rest days of over 22,000 Americans. The results showed that happiness increased with more free time, but after five hours of rest, well-being began to decline. Similar findings were observed in a panel of 14,000 American workers surveyed between 1992 and 2008.

Online study confirms results

To confirm their findings, researchers also studied the rest times of 6,000 people online. Participants who had seven hours of rest reported feeling less productive, less happy, and more stressed compared to those who had only 3 hours and 30 minutes of free time. This suggests there is a critical threshold for free time that should not be exceeded.

Too much free time can be harmful

According to Marissa Sharif, a marketing professor at the Wharton School and lead author of the study, having entire days to do nothing can make a person just as unhappy as having too little free time. She recommends that people aim for a moderate amount of free time instead of unlimited rest.

Ideal free time and meaningful activities

Researchers suggest that the ideal amount of free time for happiness is around five hours. They recommend engaging in activities that have personal meaning, such as learning a new skill, playing an instrument, or reinforcing language learning, to enhance well-being and avoid the negative effects of excessive free time.