There's a new study out on what makes people happy. The study conducted by the University of Maryland sociologist John Robinson was published in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research. It looked at public opinion data from nearly 40,000 people ages 18 to 64, as well as time-use diaries that detail how people spend their days.
And what did the study conclude? They found that happy people spend more free hours socializing, reading and participating in religious activities, while unhappy people watch 30 percent more television!
The most recent figure from Nielsen Media Research indicate that the average American watches 4 1/2 hours of television per day. That is 31 1/2 hours every week. This is enough television to make anyone unhappy! Life is too short and there is too much to do to park yourself in front of a television that many hours a week.
Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy a good TV show or sporting event as much as the next guy. Just last night all four of us watched the Syracuse Orange beat the Kansas Jayhawks in an exciting overtime basketball game. Our emotions went from elation to frustration during the course of the game. It was a thoroughly enjoyable family time.
Now, we don't know if watching television makes a person unhappy, or if those who are unhappy are drawn to more television as a way to ward off their unhappiness. But make no mistake, heavy television watching correlates with unhappiness.
So tomorrow, choose to be happy. Turn off the television. Engage in stimulating conversation. Enjoy hanging out with family and friends. Tell a funny story. Recall God's goodness this past year and thank Him for His many blessings.
Take time to turn off and tune in.
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