The Happy Protesters

From outspoken opponents of healthcare reform to anarchists rallying against the G20 summit - protesters get a rap for being extreme and angry people. So you might not have guessed the results of a recent study. A survey of college students found that those who were politically active were actually happier than students who weren’t trumpeting a cause.

Politically active individuals often described themselves as feeling energized and alive. Rather than focusing on the evils they are railing against, activists see themselves as models for others, with a sense of purpose. This feeling has been variously described by many, from Aristotle to Alinsky.

The study is the first of its kind to actually document the phenomenon, and could have implications for understanding how motivation factors into mental health. So the next time you get the urge to picket or pamphleteer, remember that more than one party stands to benefit.

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(Photo by Robert Whitlock via Flickr/Creative Commons)