Artistic Men Are Happier

Our happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.

Artistic and cultural pursuits make men happier and less likely to suffer from depression.

Norwegian researchers studying the mental well-being of almost 50,000 people -- using questionnaires, interviews, clinical examinations and blood samples -- found that activities such as painting, playing a musical instrument or going to the theater raised the level of happiness among both genders. Artistic endeavors even beat out money or employment situation.

In addition, for men, artistic and cultural pursuits made them less susceptible to depression. The researchers came to these results after controlling for socioeconomic status, chronic illness, smoking and alcohol.

Which is why the best way to cheer yourself up after being shot down at the club isn't to hit on the next person you see. Rather, try making origami animals with the label from your beer bottle.