Does leisure make us happy? Often the answer is no.

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Democracy Dies in Darkness

The Optimist

Psychologist Laurie Santos said we often pursue low-effort activities while looking for happiness. Here’s what actually works, according to the research.

July 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. EDTToday at 5:00 a.m. EDT

This person spends their leisure time in a hammock while overlooking water. (iStock)

You might think spending more time relaxing would make you happier.

But recent research suggests that having more leisure time doesn’t necessarily make people more likely to rate their day as happy. The research, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Time Use Survey, shows that people were most satisfied with their days when they included an hour or two of socializing, physical exercise and — surprisingly — up to six hours of work (though more work than this was linked to less happiness).