When It Comes To Free Time, How Much Is Too Much?



We all need some down time, but too much or too little probably won’t make us happier. While being “time poor” makes us more depressed, stressed and emotionally exhausted, having too much free time undermines our sense of purpose. Fortunately, scientists have figured out what the ideal amount of free time is. According to studies, people who are most satisfied with life have somewhere between 2-5 hours of free time a day. Those who have less than 2 hours are more stressed, and those who have more than 5 hours are also dissatisfied. If we have too little of a good thing, we get burned out and unhappy, but if we have too much of a good thing, we begin viewing it as nothing special, which robs us of the joy we might feel when it’s in a more moderate quantity. Let’s face it, free time is literally a tightrope, but spending your free time wisely can help make life more meaningful, especially if you’re crunched for time. Suggestions include walking, hiking, taking a fitness class, taking time to perform small acts of kindness, spending time in nature, visiting a museum, or just spending quality time with friends and family.