An overview category that looks at the big picture of happiness research.
Happiness is a bit like a good meal. To thrive, we need balance—a mix of nutrients that nourish our emotional and mental well-being. My personal macronutrients of happiness (derived from but not quite the same as those of Harvard professor Arthur Brooks) are satisfaction, engagement, and enjoyment. Each plays a unique role in how we … Read more
I was sitting in my backyard a few days ago, half playing with Sophie Sunshine, half appreciating the literal sunshine, when I made a major mistake. I picked up my phone and looked at the news. Whoosh, happiness implosion. Five minutes spent looking at the latest from Washington, the newest wildfires, the ongoing wars, and … Read more
What brings you true joy? Maybe it’s the softness of your dog’s fur as you stroke it. Maybe it’s the sight of a sunset over the ocean. Maybe it’s the smell of baking cookies and the sound of your family talking and laughing nearby. Joy, in all its forms, lights us up from within, but … Read more
What does neuroscience know about happiness? Lots! But the most important info can be summed up in one beautiful acronym: DOSE
It’s easy to tie your happiness to goals: landing the dream job, buying the perfect house, or getting that big promotion. But even when you achieve those things, the boost in happiness is temporary. Psychologists call this the “happiness treadmill”—you’re always running toward the next thing, but you never feel like you’ve arrived…
Abdaal, Ali. Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You. New York: Celadon Books, 2023. One of my favorite quotes: Success doesn’t lead to feeling good. Feeling good leads to success. One of the most highlighted passages from Kindle readers: Positive emotions are the fuel that drives the engine of human flourishing. From … Read more
Happiness sometimes gets a bad rap. Women especially can feel that it’s selfish to prioritize our own happiness. But science tells a different story: happiness isn’t selfish at all. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself—and for everyone around you.