Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life

by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

Activity Rank Activity Gain in Happiness Relative to Not Doing Activity 1. Intimacy/Making Love 14.2 2. Theater/Dance/Concert 9.29 3. Exhibition/Museum/Library 8.77 4. Sports/Running/Exercise 8.12 5. Gardening 7.83 6. Singing/Performing 6.95 7. Talking/Chatting/Socializing 6.38 8. Birdwatching/Nature Watching 6.28 9. Walking/Hiking 6.18 10. Hunting/Fishing 5.82 11. Drinking Alcohol 5.73 12. Hobbies/Arts/Crafts 5.53 13. Meditating/Religious Activities 4.95 14. Match/Sporting Event 4.39 15. Childcare/Playing with Children 4.1 16. Pet Care/Playing with Pets 3.63 17. Listening to Music 3.56 18. Other Games/Puzzles 3.07 19. Shopping/Errands 2.74 20. Gambling/Betting 2.62 21. Watching TV/Film 2.55 22. Computer Games/iPhone Games 2.39 23. Eating/Snacking 2.38 24. Cooking/Preparing Food 2.14 25. Drinking Tea/Coffee 1.83 26. Reading 1.47 27. Listing to Speech/Podcast 1.41 28. Washing/Dressing/Grooming 1.18 29. Sleeping/Resting/Relaxing 1.08 30. Smoking 0.69 31. Browsing the Internet 0.59 32. Texting/Email/Social media 0.56 33. Housework/Chores/DIY −0.65 34. Traveling/Commuting −1.47 35. In a Meeting, Seminar, Class −1.5 36. Admin/Finances/Organizing −2.45 37. Waiting/Queueing −3.51 38. Care or Help for Adults −4.3 39. Working/Studying −5.43 40. Sick in Bed −20.4