Is Working Longer Hours the Key to Happiness?
Engagement at work not only affects one’s physical health it also positively impacts one’s well-being.
Research has shown that for Americans the secret to happiness can be found of all places at work. A new study indicates that those who work longer hours in the United States are actually happier.
The researchers from the University of Texas in Dallas found that there is a significant boost in happiness ratings as the amount of working hours increases.
The researchers controlled for factors such as age, martial status, and income, and found that the amount of hours one spent at work was related to increases in happiness.
The researchers studied not only Americans but also Europeans and found the reverse result. In Europe, the more hours you work, the more unhappy you reported yourself to be.
The research cannot prove causation, that working more hours causes happiness for Americans and unhappiness for Europeans, but the findings elucidate an important distinction in values for Americans and Europeans.
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