A team of scientists at the University of British Columbia has discovered the secret behind the "perfect day."
Scientists have found that a good, ideal day doesn't require laziness or indulgence in entertainment, but rather depends on a balanced distribution of time across a range of daily activities, including spending time with family and friends, working limited hours, and limiting the use of phones and mobile devices.
In the study, the team relied on an analysis of data from the 2013 and 2021 versions of the American Time Management Survey (ATUS), which reflect the average American lifestyle.
The survey collects information about the time individuals devote to more than 100 different activities, such as work, socializing, childcare, entertainment, and volunteering.
Scientists used artificial intelligence to analyze which activities had the greatest positive impact on the day, based on participants' ratings of their day, such as "normal" or "better than usual."
The team was able to determine the ideal duration for each activity to arrive at the ideal day formula as follows:
6 hours with family.
Two hours with friends.
An hour and a half for socializing.
Two hours of exercise.
One hour for food and drinks.
6 working hours (no more).
Less than 15 minutes commute.
Only one hour of screen time (TV or phone).
Scientists confirm that excessive use of phone or tablet screens does not contribute to happiness, but may actually impair the overall quality of the day.
The research team, led by social psychologist Donegan Falk, found that social interaction, particularly spending time with friends and family, has a direct and positive impact on the quality of the day.
Contrary to popular belief, the analysis showed that work doesn't necessarily ruin the day. In fact, working less than six hours was associated with a positive assessment of the day, while satisfaction levels began to decline after this threshold.
Short commutes (15 minutes or less) also showed a slight positive effect, possibly due to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, where leaving the house represented an opportunity to improve mood.
Scientists have concluded that understanding the details of the optimal duration and timing of daily activities helps us get closer to knowing the recipe for a good day—and, consequently, the recipe for a good life.
The study was published on PsyArXiv in its preprint form and has not yet been peer-reviewed.