In this enlightening episode of The Knowledge Project Podcast, happiness expert Laurie Santos delves into the science of happiness.
She explores the misconceptions about happiness, the role of societal and evolutionary influences, and the importance of rituals, routines, and social connections.
Santos also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the unexpected benefits it has brought.
Social Connection and Happiness
Social connection is a significant factor in achieving happiness.
Happy people are more social and prioritize time with friends and family.
Even interactions with strangers can boost our mood.
However, the pandemic has disrupted many of these small social connections, leading to a decrease in overall well-being.
Presence and Happiness
Being present and attentive to life can significantly improve our well-being and happiness.
Techniques like meditation, which promote intentional focus on the present moment, can help us avoid mind wandering and lack of presence, which often lead to unhappiness.
Unexpected Benefits of the Pandemic
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, there have been some unexpected benefits for mental health.
The reduced number of activities and extracurriculars led to less anxiety and fear of missing out (FOMO) among students.
They also valued their in-person social interactions more, leading to increased social connection.
Religion and Happiness
Religious behaviors, such as attending church or doing good deeds, can increase happiness.
This suggests that any cultural institution that promotes social connection, altruism, and presence can enhance happiness.
However, the beliefs themselves are not necessary for achieving these benefits.
Even if your life is going as well as you could have possibly expected, you’ll stop noticing that it’s going so well over time. – Laurie Santos
Misconceptions about Happiness
Happiness is often misunderstood.
Many believe that certain achievements or possessions will lead to lasting happiness.
However, the happiness derived from these things is usually temporary, leading to a cycle of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
This is often referred to as the ‘arrival fallacy’.
Reference Group Bias
Reference group bias, where people compare their situation to others in their group or field, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness.
As people achieve more, their reference group changes, and they start comparing themselves to more successful people.
Rituals and Routines
Rituals and routines play a crucial role in maintaining a sense of balance and preventing feelings of being overwhelmed.
These habits help compartmentalize different aspects of our lives, which can become blurred when working from home during the pandemic.
Pandemic and Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the mental health crisis among young people by disrupting social connections, increasing anxiety, and creating uncertainty about the future.
However, it has also revealed the potential negative impact of overloading students with too many choices and activities, suggesting a need for a more balanced approach to scheduling and activity selection in the future.
Popularity of Santos’ Happiness Course
The popularity of Santos’ happiness course at Yale indicates a strong desire among students for evidence-based strategies to deal with stress and anxiety.
Students are seeking scientific approaches to improve their mental health, rather than relying on platitudes about how they should live their lives.
Cultural Evolution and Happiness
Cultural evolution has shaped our institutions, including religion, over thousands of years.
These institutions have survived because they promote behaviors that enhance our sense of shared identity and well-being.
However, our society is becoming more individualized and secular, which may be contributing to the increasing rates of mental health issues.
Lasting happiness comes from something else… the problem isn’t that we’re not working at it, it’s that we have these misconceptions about the kinds of things that are really going to make us feel better. – Laurie Santos
Understanding Misconceptions about Happiness
Understanding our misconceptions about happiness and working towards a balanced and fulfilling life is crucial.
Happiness is not about constant positive emotions or achieving societal standards of success, but about experiencing positive emotions, feeling satisfied with life, and having a sense of purpose and meaning.
Hedonic Adaptation
Hedonic adaptation is a phenomenon where people get used to the good things in their life and stop appreciating them.
This can lead to a decrease in happiness over time, even if one’s life is going well.
Understanding this bias can help individuals work towards finding true happiness.
