What would we do without scientists? Live Science has this groundbreaking and shocking study that proves weekends are good for you:
Just about everybody – even workaholics – should look forward to the weekend, when most people get a mood boost, a new study suggests.
Participants in the study often reported better moods, greater vitality, and fewer aches and pains from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon as compared with the rest of the week.
“Workers, even those with interesting, high-status jobs, really are happier on the weekend,” said study researcher Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester.
The researchers tracked the moods of 74 adults between the ages of 18 to 62 who worked at least 30 hours per week.
I really hope it wasn’t government funded though I can’t imagine anyone else being stupid enough to do a study like this.
January 16, 2010 at 10:05 pm
My wifes comment: "How do you even tell people what you do for a living?I'd be soooooo embarrassed."
January 16, 2010 at 10:07 pm
What'll be next, a study proving breathing is necessary for human life?
January 16, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I did a similarly lame study for my Masters–not on the same subject, just lame. I was just filling the square to get my diploma. It is a sign of the true value of education in the US.
There was a time when a college diploma meant something special. Now it means you endured an extended number of years in some school rather than producing for your family.
January 17, 2010 at 1:55 am
Winglet, you are wise. That is the truth. It is an endurance test with a very great opportunity cost.
January 17, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Actually, that's not what the study did. It looked at what was responsible for the "weekend effect" and found two virtues, autonomy (owning what you do) and intimacy (connectedness to others). The point of the study isn't that "weekends are awesome" but rather that by increasing the degree of autonomy and intimacy in one's life, one can experience–all week long–the greater benefits to health and well being that the weekend bring.
January 17, 2010 at 8:06 pm
The result may surprise some people. After all, most people spend the weekend with their families, and isn't the whole thesis of modern feminism built on the foundation that time spent at home with family is less satisfying and fulfilling than time spent at the office furthering one's career?