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Articles on Psychology Matters:

Want To Be Happy? Inject FUN Into Your Life

The British philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970) was one of the 20th century's most influential thinkers. His Principia Mathematica is one of philosophy's most celebrated (and most difficult) works; and his A History of Western Philosophy is one of its most widely read. In 1950 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

But he didn't confine himself to philosophical speculation. He had plenty to say about practical matters, such as marality, sexuality, education and happiness; and he was well-known for his anti-war and anti-nuclear protests, which landed him in jail twice. In 1958 he became the founding president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

You might think that a man od such formidable intellect, engaged in so many important matters, would have little time for "mere" hobbies and pastimes. But this was not the case. In fact, he believed that they are essential ingredients of a happy life.

Russell on happiness
As a youth, Bretrand Russell was very unhappy. He was often on the verge of suicide and was restrained only by "desire to know more mathematics". But as he grew older, he learnt to enjoy life. At age 60, he wrote: "I might almost say that with every year that passes, I enjoy (life) more."

In 1930 he shared his experiences and insights in a book entitled The Conquest of Happiness. The first part of the book is concerned with the caused of unhappiness, such as boredom, envy, fatigue and fear of public opinion. The second part is concerned with the causes of happiness, such as affection, zest, work and family.

Amongst the causes of happiness, Russell includes "impersonal interest", by which he means things that we do simply for pleasure, and which have nothing to do with our work or responsibilities. In other words: things we do for fun.

Why does he consider these things so important?

First of all, they provide us with an antidote to one of our main sources of unhappiness: fatigue. If we are too preoccupied with worries and responsibilities, we quickly lose our zest for life. Impersonal interests provide us with the rest and relaxation we need to keep us energised and invigorated.

Secondly, impersonal interests help us to keep a sense of proportion. It is very easy to attach undue importance to ourselves, to our work and to our little corner of the world. But a passionate interest in chess, butterflies, flower-arranging or basketball counteracts this tendency to self-absorption, and reminds us that there is much of value in the world besides ourselves.

For example, a man or a woman who takes the time to explore the constellations of the night-sky cannot help but gain a wider perspective on things. Someone might say: "Hobbies and pastimes are all very well for some. But not for me. I have too many important matters to attend to." According to Bertrand Russell, this is a grave error. When we deny ourselves the time to pursue impersonal interests, we work longer but we do not work better:

The man who can forget his work when it is over... is likely to do his work far better than the man who worries about it throughout the intervening hours. And it is very much easier to forget work at the times when it ought to be forgotten if a man has many interests other than his work, according to Bertrand Russell.

Time spent on pleasurable activities is not time wasted. It is time invested.

Don't forgo hobbies
From my own experiences, I have found Bertrand Russell to be absolutely right.

I am a keen though mediocre squash player. At times of great stress, I am sometimes tempted to forgo my squash games, and either continue working or simply slump in front of the TV.

But I have learnt to resist the temptation. Even when I am at my busiest, the time I spend chasing a small rubber ball around a squash court is time well-spent. My worries are quickly forgotten, and I return to my responsibilities with renewed energy.

So make time for fun. Not only will it make you happier, it will also make you more productive.

Gary Hayden
United Kingdom
18 May 2007