A large study found that we become happier when we share everyday activities with others. Even routine tasks — meals, walks, reading — bring more joy in company.
Researchers analyzed survey data from 41,000 people collected between 2010 and 2021. Of 297 everyday episodes, almost all were more pleasant if someone was nearby — either physically or connected by phone. The only exception was washing the kitchen together, where satisfaction decreased.
To rule out the influence of personal traits — for example, that happier people simply socialize more — the researchers accounted for participants’ overall emotional background. Even after that adjustment, the effect remained: the key factor was the presence of another person itself.
Against a backdrop of growing individualization and remote work, the study seems especially meaningful. Yes, digital technologies make life easier, but live human communication remains an important and universal source of joy — even in the most ordinary moments.
