Family fun often means new activities and destinations but a new study suggests leisure time spent at home in familiar pastimes may be a better route to happiness.
The lead author of a newly published study in the World Leisure Journal, Dr. Karen K. Melton, assistant professor of child and family studies at Baylor University talks causality:
That may be because when the brain is focused on processing new information, such as taking part in an unfamiliar activity with unfamiliar people in a new location, less ‘brain power’ is available to focus on the family relationships.
While research results suggest that all quality time together contributes to satisfaction with family life, “all family leisure is not equal,” she said.
The best predictor of happiness for families may be spending quality time together in familiar activities inside the home. And that’s great news for families who have little time or few resources.
Melton noted that some studies support the idea that eating together is one of the best predictors of functioning families, while watching TV is seen as ineffective for individual happiness or family function. Melton warns, however, that each family is different and that a one-size-fits-all notion is often incorrect.
Click on the link below to read the full article
Category(s):Family Problems, Happiness
Source material from The Brain Blogger
