iStockphoto / Irina Mescheryakova
Contrary to the popular Mrs. Congeniality quote, the ‘perfect date’ or ‘perfect date‘ isn’t simply “April 25th because it’s not too hot, it’s not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.” In fact, determining the perfect day through a scientific approach yields concrete results that we can all reap the benefits of.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia used data from the ‘American Time Use Survey’ which consists of 100 questions about how people spend their time across various activities like exercise, screen usage, time spent with family and friends, etc. That data was then compared to how participants rated their days and the findings are illuminating.
Using the “better than typical” rating as the sign of a good day, the University of British Columbia researchers were able to come up with a virtual hour-by-hour timeline of what the perfect day looks like. Spoiler alert: most of us are spending way too much time in front of screens.
Here’s how the day shakes out:
- 1 hour spent eating and drinking
- 1.5 hours spent socializing
- 2 hours spent hanging out with friends
- 6 hours spent with family
- Less than 15 minutes commuting to/from work
- A short 6-hour workday
- 1 hour on TV/phone/tablet/computer
What jumps out to me the most here is probably the same for many of you reading this: 1 hour of screen time. I just checked and last week I averaged 6h11m of screen time on my iPhone which was down 35% from the previous week and that’s because I went to The Masters on Tuesday and didn’t have my phone all day.
Even while I’m staring at my computer I typically have the TV on in the background as white noise. There’s always a screen on/unlocked/open in my house/office and I know I’m not alone in that.
Going deeper, spending 6 hours a day with family is TOUGH most days throughout the week. But it’s not as if we are expecting to have a perfect day on a Monday, right? 6 hours with the famly, 2 hours with friends, and 1 hour of eating/drinking is easily doable on a Saturday.
This ‘Perfect Day’ study from University of British Columbia was led by Dunigan Folk. The study used data from 2013 through 2021, so a wide array of and solid data set.
With the data in hand they used an AI model to parse out what the perfect day would like and voila, here we are. The 6 hour workday is interesting because there are a literal billion practical examples of where that isn’t possible based on various professions. And conversely, I’ve always said I would prefer to move to a 4-day workweek and work 12 hours/day and even put in extra hours. The idea of working less isn’t really something that has ever been on my radar.
Another finding that jumped out to me is how clutch exercise is to well being. I’ve shed 20+ pounds since January 30th by dieting on top of my fitness routine. I’d been working out hard over the past year with little to no results but finally layered in dieting and the weight started flying off. Am I proof that you cannot out-exercise a bad diet?
Evidently, I am. But I already feel significantly better and healthier every day with 20lbs off my frame and honestly, I’m on the verge of becoming one of those people who won’t shut up about the benefits of exercise so y’all better watch out… I’m another 20 pounds of fat loss and 10 pounds of muscle gain away from being insufferable.
Content shared from brobible.com.