The report was written by UIC Barcelona’s Psychology lecturer Anna Carballo and analyses over 100 studies carried out in different countries in which time and leisure activities are correlated with higher levels of physical health, psychological well-being and life expectancy.

Most of the studies included in the report “suggest that the number of hours of free time are not as important as the quality and perceived satisfaction of the use and enjoyment that is made of this time,” explains Carballo.

Travelling, participating in cultural activities and attending social activities are the leisure activities that show the greatest impact on satisfaction and mental health. On the other hand, activities such as watching TV or surfing the internet correlate negatively with this well-being.

Likewise, according to the researcher, “the main conclusions of the report indicate that, beyond quantity, it is the quality and perceived satisfaction of leisure that contributes to a significant improvement in health, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and contributes to better mental health.” These benefits are observed not only when people enjoy holiday periods, but also during leisure time during the week. “Leisure positively affects our physical and mental health as it reduces stress, facilitates social interaction, involves motivation and activates our values, beliefs and abilities,” she added.

The analysis carried out by Anna Carballo in collaboration with Atrápalo also highlights the benefits of leisure in vulnerable groups, as it significantly improves their social skills and cognitive abilities, contributing to their social inclusion. 

Full study

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