Active Leisure Time Predicts Happiness among Iranian Adults: A Study Comparing Adults with Physically Active versus Inactive Lifestyle

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to have positive effects on mental well-being. However, previous research has mostly concentrated on the negative effects of inactivity on mental well-being and examined the use of PA as a preventive or therapeutic treatment for mental disorders, rather than a proactive method of enhancing mental well-being. Therefore, there is a need to consider the connection between PA and enhanced mental well-being, such as happiness. The current study sought to examine the levels of happiness among active and inactive adults. The study's participants were Iranian adults between 18 and 60 years. Data were gathered using a modified version of the 29-item Oxford 2002 Happiness Questionnaire and a researcher-developed leisure and PA questionnaire. N = 541 individuals completed the online survey, including n = 373 (68.9%) women and n = 168 (31.1%) men. More than half of Iranians (55.1%) reported low or moderate levels of happiness, and that those who engaged in active leisure pursuits reported significantly higher levels of happiness than those who were inactive during leisure time. The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that engaging in PA during leisure time predicts happiness. Encouraging Iranian adults to be more physically active during leisure time could increase happiness levels and thus contribute to the sustainable happiness and well-being of society.