The Well | Why humans are surprisingly bad at being happy | Laurie Santos @The-Well | Uploaded June 2023 | Updated October 2024, 3 hours ago.
Your brain isn’t wired for happiness — but you can change that, explains Yale scientist Laurie Santos.
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Sometimes, it’s really hard to be happy. And there’s a reason for that: the human brain isn’t hard-wired for happiness — happiness isn’t essential for survival. And to make matters worse, our minds can deceive us when it comes to happiness, leading us to chase things that won't make us happy in the long run.
To solve for this, Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos recommends a set of practices, dubbed "re-wirements.” These practices include prioritizing social connection, being other-oriented, focusing on gratitude and blessings, and incorporating exercise into our daily routine.
By understanding the common pitfalls of our thinking and adopting new behaviors, we can achieve true happiness, and make it last. For Santos, happiness isn’t just a state: it’s an ongoing practice.
Read the full video transcript: bigthink.com/the-well/how-to-be-happy-415573
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Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.
So what do they think?
How is the power of science advancing understanding? How are philosophers and theologians tackling these fascinating questions?
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Your brain isn’t wired for happiness — but you can change that, explains Yale scientist Laurie Santos.
❍ Subscribe to The Well on YouTube: bit.ly/welcometothewell
❍ Up next: How to live a life you won’t regret | Bryan Cranston youtu.be/yg0uCvnHg74
Sometimes, it’s really hard to be happy. And there’s a reason for that: the human brain isn’t hard-wired for happiness — happiness isn’t essential for survival. And to make matters worse, our minds can deceive us when it comes to happiness, leading us to chase things that won't make us happy in the long run.
To solve for this, Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos recommends a set of practices, dubbed "re-wirements.” These practices include prioritizing social connection, being other-oriented, focusing on gratitude and blessings, and incorporating exercise into our daily routine.
By understanding the common pitfalls of our thinking and adopting new behaviors, we can achieve true happiness, and make it last. For Santos, happiness isn’t just a state: it’s an ongoing practice.
Read the full video transcript: bigthink.com/the-well/how-to-be-happy-415573
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
❍ About The Well ❍
Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.
So what do they think?
How is the power of science advancing understanding? How are philosophers and theologians tackling these fascinating questions?
Let’s dive into The Well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join The Well on your favorite platforms:
❍ Facebook: bit.ly/thewellFB
❍ Instagram: bit.ly/thewellIG
