Employees who have more control over their daily work and apply creativity in tackling challenging tasks are healthier than workers who don’t, according to a recent study from The University of Texas at Austin (UT). “Creative activity helps people stay healthy,” says lead author John Mirowsky, a sociology professor with the Population Research Center at UT, because “it’s non-routine, enjoyable and provides opportunity for learning and for solving problems. People who do that kind of work, whether paid or not, feel healthier and have fewer physical problems.”

The study evaluated more than 2,500 adults who responded to an initial national telephone survey in 1995 that was followed up in 1998. Questions addressed general health and physical functioning, as well as how individuals spent their time at work and, whether paid or unpaid, it gave them a chance to learn new things or do things they enjoyed.