We get it – when Sydney winter sets in, it can be tempting to spend your evenings inside, bundled up in bed like a burrito. But it’s time to strip off the Oodie and step out of the front door, because it’s seriously good for your wellbeing. And no, we’re not just talking about a quick walk around the block. New Australian research proves that regularly attending in-person events – think festivals, musicals, exhibitions, sporting events, markets and foodie gatherings – gives your mood a real boost and fills you with positive emotions. Here at Time Out, we’ve always championed getting out and about on your week nights and weekends, and now this study just proves we were right all along.
The new research, led by the University of South Australia and Flinders University, surveyed more than 350 South Australians about how often they attended in-person and online events and how this related to their wellbeing. When comparing the two, they found that attending more face-to-face events led to a boost in positive emotions like joy, happiness and excitement. Plus, the more often a person attended events in the flesh, the more immersed and engaged they felt, making time fly by unnoticed.
Flinders University senior lecturer Dr Eliza Kitchen said, “What we found is that events do much more than just drive tourism and boost the economy; they also play a critical role in enhancing wellbeing. This gives us another strong reason to support events, not just for visitors, but for the benefits of locals as well.”
While there’s still a space for virtual events, the researchers found that online or livestreamed experiences only increase people’s sense of accomplishment – but don’t have the same positive impact on other aspects of wellbeing that in-person events deliver.
So, if you’re looking to boost your happiness levels, here are a few cool things you can do in Sydney:
- Explore the latest blockbuster art exhibition
- Meet local producers at your closest farmers’ market
- Catch some live music at one of these venues
- Go for a dance at one of Sydney’s best clubs
- See one of the biggest and best musicals in the city
- Scale a wall at one of Sydney’s indoor climbing centres