Having more fun helps in the daily recovery from work

WE’VE BEEN told often times that technology shortens working hours to give us more free time. Yet, more often than not, we feel we are not only working harder but also leaving work later to squeeze more into the day.

In an effort to get ahead, many of us skip the gym or a stroll in the evening and instead log on to check e-mails and WhatsApp messages from colleagues, barely having time to eat dinner and catch the latest episode of Big Bang Theory.

But what if the key to being effective at work is to actually spend more time doing the abovementioned pleasurable activities in the evening?

While taking time off may seem counterintuitive to those who are conditioned to press on with work into the evening, our research shows that taking up enjoyable evening activities can significantly boost your recovery after work.

Although past studies have demonstrated that employees can improve recovery by detaching from work, relaxing, challenging themselves through mastering new skills or feeling more in control, they have not studied how pleasure gained through these off-work activities can help employees reduce stress and recover from the working day.

In a study with Madelon van Hooff from Radboud University in The Netherlands, we wanted to find out if it was not just taking a break from work in the evening that restores energy, but also whether the pleasure employees derive from their off-work activities helps them generate mental and emotional renewal during and after the experience.