Readers are Happier

My former colleague, Marilyn W. (a reference librarian) shared this information with me.

Sociologists at the University of Maryland have concluded from a lengthy study that people (it seems the study focused only on Americans) who watch television are not as happy as people who "spend more time reading and socializing." While television seems to allow for escapism and gives the viewer an immediate sense of happiness, the feeling is not long term. As quoted from the report posted on the University of Maryland's website, " the researchers found that self-described very happy people were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read more newspapers." No mention about people who read other materials, but it's always good to know that reading is a key to happiness. I think librarians have always known this fact.

View the story at the following link:
http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/sociss/release.cfm?ArticleID=1789