Appreciating moments of rest and dedicating yourself to hobbies are attitudes linked to increasing productivity.
EINSTEIN AGENCY – Devaluing the time dedicated to free time can be harmful mental health – and also for productivity at work. The message comes from a compiled of studies published in the journal Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
Scientists at Ohio University in the US have conducted four studies which, together, help to understand the importance of hobbies and the like. They show that volunteers who underestimated these activities or did not engage in them tended to show higher rates of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms.
“There are many studies that suggest this Free time benefits mental health and can make us more productive“Selin Malkoc, one of the authors of this work, said in a statement.
In one of the studies, she and her colleagues assessed the happiness, anxiety and stress levels of 199 college students. Volunteers were also asked how much they agreed with five statements linking free time to an alleged waste of time.
Analyzing the results, the scientists found that participants who devalued these pleasant activities more were also less happy.
Neuropsychologist Milena Fernandes Mata, specialist at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Hospital das Clínicas, underlines the importance of society reflecting on the overvaluation of work and that individuals dedicate time to personal activities. “If we maintain high levels of stress for a long time, we can enter what we call the exhaustion or burnout phase,” she warns.
In this context, the organism stops supporting the demand, which ends up requiring prolonged periods of absence, as well as contributing to the onset of some psychiatric diseases.
Why is it important to stop?
“Free time promotes health and happiness. But many people feel guilty about it,” says Luiz Dieckmann, psychiatrist and director of the Brazilian Institute of Practical Pharmacology (BIPP). According to him, people must learn to value their free time.
Dieckmann says that incorporating fun practices into your routine often also increases your ability to fulfill your daily obligations well. “Especially for guys workaholicYou can alleviate the guilt of spending more time on leisure by understanding that it is an important measure for achieving optimal performance,” he concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
