Massachusetts Spends Too Much Time Working

I know, I know. I say: "Massachusetts spends too much time working" and you say: "Tell me something I don't know!"

It's not me saying it, though! It's the data! Deputy.com recently shared said data. Their findings, simply titled How Do Americans Spend Their Time? digs into exactly that: how much of our time are we spending working, sleeping, relaxing, socializing, and engaging in the other activities that make up an American life. Before we see how Massachusetts is faring, let's get baseline.

According to the study, this is how an average American spends their lifetime:

So now that we have the averages, how does the Commonwealth stack up? Workwise, not so good. Massachusetts residents spend an average of 16 years, 1 month, and 10 days of their lives working. That's about 10 months above the national average. And when you rank the 50 states in time-working, Massachusetts is tied with Hawaii and South Dakota for second place, behind Washington D.C. in first.

The study based its calculations on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CDC, and Forbes. Take a look at the graphic below for the state-by-state breakdown. And dig into the full study to see how else Americans are spending their time. The takeaway for Massachusetts residents should be this: work less and relax more, if you're able. And speaking of relaxing more, keep on scrolling and you just might find that you've found yourself at Happy Hour, where work is done and a refreshing beverage awaits!

"It's 5:00 somewhere!" When Happy Hour hits in New England, there's one state that's happier than the rest.

Happy Hour, in case you'd forgotten, is a marketing term, first and foremost. Traditionally, it's been used by bars, pubs, and restaurants to promote food and drink specials with the hopes of boosting business in non-peak hours. And I'm here to tell you: it works. Few things are more satisfying than hitting your local for a bargain pour and 2-for-1 apps before the dinner rush.

I fell into the Wikipedia entry on Happy Hour and learned even more. An early instance of the term is in Shakespeare's Henry V, where it's used to describe pleasant times. During WWI, the U.S. Navy used the term to described scheduled periods of entertainment. But it wasn't until the late 1950's that the term gained the current iteration of its definition: afternoon drinks at a bar.

So who's crushing Happy Hour in the northeast nowadays? The Shane Co. set out to find out and they came up with this: How Every State Takes Its Happy Hour. Their methodology? "Participants were selected from various demographics, and the survey included questions about happy hour preferences, influences, and experiences." And it was for 2,600 people residing in 43 of the 50 states.

Five of the six New England states factored into their piece, so we'll take a look at those below. If you want to see how the other 38 states fared, you can take a gander at the entire study here, which breaks things down along generational lines, too. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go. I'm hearing one of my favorite watering holes is serving up dollar drafts for an hour this evening, and I'd like to take advantage of that. Cheers!

Connecticut topped the list with a whopping 89-minute-long Happy Hour. Their preferred location is at a restaurant, with a 5 p.m. kickoff. And they prefer ice cold beer.

Maine gives Connecticut a run for its money with an 84-minute long happy hour. They also prefer to belly up to the restaurant bar at 5, but they prefer a cocktail over beer. Which tracks, as they have their own state drink.

Happy Hour is technically illegal in Massachusetts. But bars find a way to get around that. Drinkers in the Commonwealth kick off a little later--at 6--but they like a cocktail at a restaurant like Mainers to. Just for a minute longer.

Tack on another minute to your Happy Hour and you're in the Granite State. Cocktails at a restaurant just like their neighbors to the east and south, tying one on at 5 p.m.

Rhode Island is the New England outlier. They like to start at 5 p.m., but they don't stay at it as long: just 77 minutes. And they'll celebrate Happy Hour at a bar with a beer, thank you very much.