A Slight Change of Plans cover image

A Slight Change of Plans

The Science of Happiness with Dr. Laurie Santos

Mar 21, 2024
Dr. Laurie Santos discusses happiness research, distinguishing happiness in life vs. with life. Importance of social relationships for happiness. Strategies for enhancing well-being, overcoming digital barriers. Prioritizing time over money for happiness. Includes insights on personal growth opportunities.
37:08

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding the distinction between being happy in life (positive emotion ratio) and being happy with life (overall life satisfaction) is crucial for subjective well-being.
  • Enhancing social connections and prioritizing experiences over material possessions are vital in boosting personal happiness.

Deep dives

Shift to Happiness Research

The shift to studying happiness began unexpectedly for Dr. Laurie Santos, a cognitive scientist initially focused on comparative cognition. Her transition was triggered by witnessing the mental health crisis among college students, motivating her to explore strategies, leading her to create a class on psychology and happiness at Yale that gained massive popularity.

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