International Workers' Day – a reminder of the importance of quality rest

In many countries around the world, International Workers' Day is celebrated on May 1st .

In this text, I will share a brief history of this day, lessons learned, and a few recommendations that will improve your quality of life and well-being.

The origins of International Labor Day and the "8-8-8" rule

In the 19th century, in many Western countries, the working day lasted about 10 to 16 hours, but over time, workers became restless and began to demand better working conditions.

Perhaps the most notable event of such a movement is May 1, 1886. A strike took place in Chicago, the participants of which demanded a reduction in working hours to 8.

The strike ended in the deadly Haymarket Riots, and it was to commemorate this event that May 1 was later declared International Workers' Day.

The 8-hour workday requirement was inspired by the so-called "8-8-8" rule, devised by British textile manufacturer and reformer Robert Owen.

According to this rule, it is necessary to allocate exactly 8 hours for work, leisure, and rest (sleep). To this day, this principle is an important axis of training and lectures on work-life balance.

The idea is nice, but is it feasible?

Although the three-eighths rule sounds nice, it is no longer so easy to implement in the modern world.

Part of the hours we should be spending on leisure time are often "eaten up" by commuting to and from work, taking children to daycare and school, cooking, and other household chores.

The solution - more awareness and mindfulness

For example, I am one of those people who is able to relax and regain strength by doing physical work, such as cleaning rooms or washing dishes, or by listening to music on the way home.

In other words, when I allow myself to immerse myself in sensations and sounds, rather than the flow of thoughts, I become much more attentive, which in turn allows me to experience more positive emotions and enjoy the process.

This is supported by scientific research showing that consistently applied mindfulness increases the sense of abundance of time, which in turn increases the sense of subjective well-being.

“But is it really the number of hours that matters?”

A good question to ask: does 8 hours of free time really contribute to a better quality of life and well-being?

Scientists Sharif, Mogilner, and Hershfield argue that it is not [2].

A study on the relationship between leisure and happiness shows that people feel happier when

1. has 2-5 hours of free time per day,

2. feels that the aforementioned hours are enough to accomplish the desired activities and

3. believes that the time spent on desired activities was quality

So, it is important to focus not only on the duration of your free time, but also on the content and quality, and if life circumstances require you to focus on work, at least enjoy the process.

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[1] Schaupp, J., & Geiger, S. (2021). Mindfulness as a path to fostering time affluence and well‐being. Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being, 14(1), 196–214. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12298

[2] Sharif, MA, Mogilner, C., & Hershfield, HE (2021). Having too little or too much time is linked to lower subjective well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 121(4), 933–947. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000391