The Happiness Debate: Is Pleasure Better Than Purpose?
When was the last time you did something just because you wanted to? Perhaps you spent an afternoon reading a novel without worrying about the laundry waiting for you upstairs.
We tend to give ourselves plenty of credit for doing productive things, but, sometimes, the activities we enjoy the most are the ones that accomplish absolutely nothing.
According to new research, those little pleasures may be doing something good for our moods. It turns out that having fun deserves a place on our to-do lists, too.
Is Having Fun Underrated?
We've all heard about the importance of finding purpose in life. But, what about the simple pleasure of doing something we love?
That's the question researchers explored in a new study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies. For two weeks, participants checked in five times a day, sharing what they'd been doing and how they were feeling.
Researchers wanted to see whether activities that brought people pleasure had different emotional benefits than those that gave them a sense of purpose. It turns out enjoyment may have something going for it, particularly when it comes to stress.
Sometimes, Fun Really Is the Point
The researchers found that activities people considered pleasurable were associated with more positive emotions, fewer negative feelings, and lower stress.
In other words, when participants were enjoying themselves, they generally reported feeling better. Meaningful activities were also associated with more positive emotions, but their relationship with stress was much less clear. That makes sense when we think about how we spend our days.
Helping a friend move house might be deeply meaningful, but it doesn't make for a relaxing Saturday. Meanwhile, spending an hour knitting or watching our favorite television show might leave us feeling refreshed, even if we haven't accomplished anything particularly important. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Does the Happiness Last?
Researchers wanted to know whether the emotional benefits of pleasurable and meaningful activities continued after the activity ended.
Initially, both types of activities were associated with better moods about two and a half hours later. But, after accounting for how emotions naturally carry over from one moment to the next, the researchers found little evidence that either type of activity provided an additional mood boost later.
Essentially, enjoying ourselves may help us feel better in the immediate moment, but that doesn't mean the experience will keep improving our mood throughout the day. And that's perfectly fine. Not every happy moment comes with a long-term payoff.
The Best Activities Might Offer Both
Of course, pleasure and purpose don't have to be separate things. Some activities give us a wonderful combination of enjoyment and personal meaning.
The researchers found that the participants tended to rate activities such as spending time with friends and exercising highly for both pleasure and meaning. Other activities, including studying and watching television, had more varied ratings.
What makes something meaningful or enjoyable is personal, too. One person's idea of a lovely afternoon might involve tending a garden, while someone else would rather spend it exploring a museum. Neither person needs to justify how they enjoy their free time.
Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy the Little Things
These findings don't mean we should abandon meaningful responsibilities in favor of constant entertainment. The study was observational, and most participants were young adults, so researchers cautioned against assuming the results apply equally to everyone.
We don't have to spend every spare minute working toward a goal or checking something off a list. Making time for activities we genuinely enjoy may help us manage stress and experience more positive emotions in our everyday lives.
Looking for stories that inform and engage? From breaking headlines to fresh perspectives, WaveNewsToday has more to explore. Ride the wave of what’s next.