Dr. Laurie Santos: How to Break Free from the Mental Traps Stealing Your Happiness | Mental Health | E372

As a psychology professor at Yale University, Dr. Laurie Santos witnessed a severe mental health crisis among her students. One in four were too depressed to function on most days, and over 60% felt overwhelmingly anxious. This experience inspired her to create Yale’s most popular course, Psychology and the Good Life, which teaches evidence-based strategies to rewire one’s mindset and find true fulfillment. In this episode, Dr. Laurie dives into the science of happiness and shares practical, research-based techniques to break free from common happiness myths and mental traps that keep us from experiencing true joy. 

In this episode, Hala and Dr. Laurie will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:10) The College Mental Health Crisis

(05:37) The Scientific Definitions of Happiness

(07:34) How Culture and Mindset Shape Happiness

(12:13) Debunking Common Happiness Myths

(25:25) Savoring Relationships and Valuing Health

(29:08) Turning What We Know Into Everyday Positivity

(38:20) Overcoming the Social Comparison Bias Trap

(41:43) Rewiring Your Mindset for Lasting Fulfillment

(49:24) Expert Takes on Modern Happiness Concepts

Dr. Laurie Santos is a cognitive scientist, psychology professor at Yale University, and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. Her Yale course, Psychology and the Good Life, became the most popular class in the university’s history and has reached millions worldwide. As a leading expert in the science of happiness, Dr. Laurie helps people understand why our brains mislead us and how to rewire our minds for overall wellness and genuine joy.

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Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Laurie's Podcast, The Happiness Lab: bit.ly/THL-apple 

Dr. Laurie's Website: drlauriesantos.com/ 

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