Leisure time improves perceived stress and happiness of postgraduate advisors

The sample comprised 205 advisors who completed the Sociodemographic, Labor and Health Questionnaire (SLHQ) and the Occupational Stress Index (OSI). Of the total sample, 66 advisors (32.2%) completed (for 10 consecutive days) the Daily Activity Protocols (DAP) about time management of sleep, daily activities, work and leisure time; and also completed Visual Analog Scales (VAS) on perceived stress, happiness, and quality of leisure. Results: Performing leisure activities with others had a positive moderate correlation with perceived happiness (ρ=0.43) and a negative weak correlation with perceived stress (ρ=0.26), particularly when leisure time was spent with family (ρ=0.40). There were also positive moderate correlations for leisure time with friends (ρ=0.32) and leisure time alone (ρ=0.38). Conclusions: Leisure time spent with others or alone was associated with greater perceived happiness of advisors, lower perceived stress and better mental health.