The average human lifetime lasts 600,000 hours, and how you spend each of these hours has a huge bearing on your happiness.

But new research shows that when we are happy, we deliberately seek out activities like doing household chores, working and queuing to dampen our spirits.

The US researchers said that while it may seem odd that we seem to try to sabotage our happiness, it may be nature's way of ensuring we get mundane tasks done.

Research shows when we are happy, we deliberately seek out activities that dampen our spirits, like the housework, working and queuing at the post office. While it may seem odd that we seem to try to sabotage our happiness, the researchers said it may be nature's way of ensuring we get mundane tasks done

WHAT THE STUDY FOUND Not surprisingly, people were drawn to mood-boosting activities when they were down. Playing sport, country walks and eating and drinking were all more popular when they felt low. When they were in a good mood, they didn't revel in their happiness. Instead, the did their chores and other activities that took the edge off it. 'Imagine an average individual trying to decide what to do on a Sunday afternoon,' said researcher Maxime Taquet. 'If that person was particularly unhappy in the morning, she would be twice as likely to go for a walk in nature in the afternoon than if she was particularly happy. 'Likewise, if that person was particularly happy in the morning, she would be about 30 per cent more likely to clean up her apartment in the afternoon than if she was particularly unhappy that morning.' Advertisement

Researchers from Harvard Medical School in Boston looked at data provided by almost 30,000 men and women who had downloaded an app that quizzed them at regular intervals - about what they were doing and how they felt.

The volunteers, who had an average age of 28, typically provided data over the course of a month.

Not surprisingly, they were drawn to mood-boosting activities when they were down.

Playing sport, country walks and eating and drinking were all more popular when they felt low.

When they were in a good mood, they didn't revel in their happiness. Instead, the did their chores and other activities that took the edge off it.

While it may seem odd that we seem to try to sabotage our happiness, the researchers said it may be nature's way of ensuring we get mundane tasks done.

'There are many factors that influence our everyday activities, from financial considerations to social norms to political constraints,' the authors wrote in a study published in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

'Yet most theories of motivation have highlighted the crucial role played by negative and positive affective states.'

Not surprisingly, people were drawn to mood-boosting activities when they were down. Playing sport, country walks (pictured) and eating and drinking were all more popular when they felt low

When they were in a good mood, they didn't revel in their happiness. Instead, the did their chores (pictured) and other activities that took the edge off it. The researchers said that when we are feeling good, our thoughts may turn how to have a happy future

WHAT IS THE HEDONIC PRINCIPLE? Human behavior is believed to be guided by the hedonic principle. This says our choices of activities aim to minimize negative affect and maximize positive affect. When they feel bad, most people try to decrease their negative emotions by choosing to engage in activities that make them feel better like, eating comfort food and getting support from friends. The researchers from Harvard found the choice of everyday activities follows this principle. When we are happy, we deliberately seek out activities that dampen our spirits, like the housework, working and queuing at the post office. Advertisement

Researcher Dr Maxime Taquet that when we are feeling good, our thoughts may turn how to have a happy future.

This could give us the motivation we need to do the work, chores or other activities that will give our finances or health a boost in years to come.

She said: 'Imagine an average individual trying to decide what to do on a Sunday afternoon.

'If that person was particularly unhappy in the morning, she would be twice as likely to go for a walk in nature in the afternoon than if she was particularly happy.

'Likewise, if that person was particularly happy in the morning, she would be about 30 per cent more likely to clean up her apartment in the afternoon than if she was particularly unhappy that morning.'

Writing in the journal the researchers added that doing chores may help us maximise our long-term welfare.

'A large body of work has consistently demonstrated the importance of sleeping, employment and living in a reasonably clean and organised home on health,' the researchers said.

'Opportunities to indulge in short-term pleasure are all around us – from our favourite hobbies to our favourite ice cream.