Carried out by Nottingham Trent University, UK, the study analyzed data from Understanding Society, a longitudinal study which questioned members of 40,000 UK households about a range of aspects of their lives including age, income, and family situations. The team asked participants about their life and job satisfaction and happiness, and compared the answers to their level of engagement in activities such as sport, visiting museums and art galleries, attending concerts, and playing musical instruments. From the surveys the researchers found that those who attended arts events, visited historical sites and museums, and engaged in moderate and mild sports reported a higher level of life satisfaction as well as general happiness.

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Taking part in sport and cultural activities makes us happier suggests new study