HOW TO FILL UP YOUR DOWNTIME

Everyone wants more time to unwind, but research has shown that too much unstructured time isn’t good for us because it can instill a sense of loneliness. According to a Penn State study, a good counterbalance is engaging in challenging activities that demand creativity and concentration. In the study, people who made time for pastimes such as painting or playing the piano were less likely to feel lonely than those who did not. And loneliness isn’t just a state of mind; it’s a leading cause of depression and triples the risk of developing dementia.