It’s a universally accepted fact that the majority of the world isn’t a fan of going to work during the week; dozens of songs played by hacky DJs often reinforce that theory on every Friday commute. But finally we have hardcore scientific research that may shock you: People are happier on weekends than they are at work. I hope your jaw didn’t break as it just hit the floor.

Research out today looks at the psychology behind that mood boost. Men and women alike feel better — emotionally and physically — from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, regardless of their age, education, salary, marital status or how many hours they work, the study says. It’s published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

“Why weekends are better are the two factors of automony and relatedness,” says co-author Richard Ryan, a psychologist at the University of Rochester, N.Y. “There’s more connection with other people and more self-direction. Wherever you don’t have autonomy or don’t feel relatedness, your well-being will be lower.”

And Ryan says that’s “more likely to be at work.”

[USA Today]