Does Busy mean Happy?

Scientists have found that people who have something to do, even if it’s pointless, are happier than people who sit idly.

In Greek mythology, the gods punished Sisyphus by condemning him to roll a rock up a steep hill for eternity. But new research suggests he was probably better off than if they’d condemned him to sit and stare into space until the end of time. Scientists found that people who have something to do, even if it’s pointless, are happier than people who sit idly. WHYY’s Behavioral Health reporter Maiken Scott spoke with psychologist Dan Gottlieb about the study.