Insights + interviews
Want To Be Happy? Change Your Priorities…
Valuing your time more than the pursuit of money is linked to greater happiness, according to a research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
In six studies with more than 4,600 participants, the researchers found an almost even split, with slightly more than half of the participants stating they prioritised their time more than money. And happier are the ones whose concept of valuing time means spending it on hobbies, exercising or being with their family, and this group of people happen to be the older folks, as they are more likely to say they valued their time compared to younger people.
The researchers conducted separate surveys with a nationally representative sample of Americans, students at the University of British Columbia, and adult visitors of a science museum in Vancouver. Some of the studies used real-world examples, such as asking a participant whether he would prefer a more expensive apartment with a short commute or a less expensive apartment with a long commute. A participant also could choose between a graduate program that would lead to a job with long hours and a higher starting salary or a program that would result in a job with a lower salary but fewer hours. In terms of variables, a participant’s gender or income didn’t affect whether they were more likely to value time or money, although the study didn’t include participants living at the poverty level who may have to prioritise money to survive.
“It appears that people have a stable preference for valuing their time over making more money, and prioritising time is associated with greater happiness, and as people age, they often want to spend time in more meaningful ways than just making money,” said lead researcher Ashley Whillans, a doctoral student in social psychology at the University of British Columbia.
But before you start tweaking your priorities, you’ll want to bear this in mind, as the author said further research will be needed to explore whether the happiness benefits of prioritising time over money ’emerge primarily after one’s financial needs are met.’
As for those of you who are financially secure and have time to kill, what are some hobbies that you can pursue? We’re actually in the midst of compiling a series of hobby related articles for your perusal at your own pace; so stay tuned, but meanwhile here are some recommended ones:
Learning – Picking up a new language can also help slow the brain’s ageing and stave off Alzheimer’s, even if it is done in adulthood.
Cooking – You’ll probably want to pick up a cook book from the bookstore first and read carefully before you start cooking up a storm in the kitchen that you have under utilised!
Keeping a pet – Walking a dog is therapeutic and so is stroking a cat, the right way that is.
Picking up a new exercise – Yoga or pilates can be very beneficial to your health and i certainly helps while your time away in a productive manner.
