Yesterday I listened to a fascinating Hidden Brain podcast that featured psychologist and researcher Cassie Mogilner Holmes .
The author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, she talked about how we can make ourselves happier by changing our perception of time.
Here are a few tidbits that stuck with me:
— In studies where some people were told to think of their weekend like a vacation, and others were not, the former group reported feeling happier than those in the second group. The happier group did do chores, but in general relaxed as they might while on vacation.
— People who are told they’re busy are less likely to stop and help someone or enjoy the surroundings, whereas those who told there’s no particular rush beyond the normal activities of life are more likely to stop and smell the roses.
— Those who think more about making money generally feel more rushed, busy and pressured to be productive, whereas those who think more in relation to the time they have left on earth are more likely to make choices that make them happy.
— Those in the not-so-happy group include people who feel they’re too busy, and people who feel they’re not nearly busy enough.
How do you think of time?
Here’s my goal: pack in as much fun as I can during what remains of my life.
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For updates about Martha’s forthcoming memoir, Bliss Road (June 2023), historical novel, The Falcon, the Wolf and the Hummingbird (October 2023), or other books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website.