Does having too much free time still make you happy?

What does having “too much free time” look like?

While reading a blog post about upskilling, I was redirected to another online resource about how “too much free time won’t make you happier in life.”

From Too much free time won’t make you happier,’ says psychologist—how many hours you really need in a day:

…two to five hours of free time in a day is ideal for boosted happiness. Having less than two hours or more than five hours of free time a day, however, decreased happiness.

The author, who also talked more about it in her book Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, illustrated her findings this way:

Wow!

That’s insightful.

Now it makes sense why some people I know who have more than five hours of free time in a day reached a point where they felt like they’ve been coasting in life, unhappy and without purpose. Can you imagine how contagious they could be (if you happened to be around one)?

So, how should we occupy ourselves with meaningful work?

Doing the things during our free time in which we find purpose, say reconnecting with loved ones, decluttering at home, exploring a new hobby, reading that book that’s been gathering dust, or just writing a blog like this (haha).

So, whatever your hands find to do, as long as you find meaning in what you do, it must be worth doing. Of course, in the context of becoming a blessing to others.