The Happiness Lab: Getting Unstuck From Decoding Women's Health: Decoding Happiness in Midlife
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Dec 30, 2025 
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and advocate for happiness, joins Dr. Elizabeth Poynor to delve into the nuances of midlife. They discuss how midlife can be a transformative period filled with both challenges and opportunities for happiness. Laurie highlights common misconceptions about what truly fosters joy and shares practical strategies for boosting well-being. From nurturing community connections to understanding and managing negative emotions, they provide insightful advice for thriving during this critical life stage.
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Class Went Viral At Yale
- Laurie Santos created a college class, Psychology and the Good Life, after seeing a student mental-health crisis firsthand.
- Over a quarter of Yale's student body enrolled, showing high demand for practical happiness skills.
Midlife Nadir In Lifespan Happiness
- Happiness often follows a U-shaped lifespan curve with a midlife nadir around late 40s.
- Historically happiness rises again in later life, though recent data show overall declines across ages.
Two-Part Model Of Happiness
- Happiness has two parts: how you feel day-to-day and how you evaluate your life overall.
- Boosting both affective and cognitive components yields a fuller, sustainable good life.