Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, shares insightful strategies for cultivating happiness. She reveals that happiness is a skill we can develop, emphasizing gratitude as a transformative practice. The discussion also uncovers how breathwork can alleviate stress and enhance well-being. Additionally, Santos introduces loving-kindness meditation, highlighting its ability to foster compassion and emotional health. Listeners learn that simple acts of kindness and self-compassion can significantly boost happiness without financial cost.
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Gratitude Practice
Practice gratitude by writing down things you're thankful for.
This simple act can boost happiness in two weeks and promote healthier choices.
insights INSIGHT
Gratitude's Evolutionary Purpose
Gratitude is a social emotion, not just a feeling.
It encourages cooperation and benefits future selves.
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Stress Reduction through Breath
Hack your stress response with deep belly breaths.
This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.
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Free Happiness Hacks | This episode is sponsored by Swanwick
We often fall into the trap of thinking that having more or better stuff will bring about happiness; the research, however, proves otherwise. Happiness doesn’t have to be something you have or you don’t—just like our health, it’s something we can work on. In fact, the acts of helping others and practicing gratitude are foundational to improving happiness. In this minisode, Dr. Hyman talks with Laurie Santos about science-based hacks for creating more happiness in your life, and even better, they don’t cost a thing!
Laurie Santos is a Professor of Psychology and the Head of Silliman College at Yale University, as well as the host of the critically acclaimed podcast The Happiness Lab. After observing a disturbing level of unhappiness and anxiety among her students, she began teaching a course entitled "Psychology and the Good Life," which quickly became the most popular course in Yale's history and has also reached almost 2 million people from all over the world online. Although she’s now best known as a "happiness expert,” Santos's research explores the much broader question of "What makes the human mind unique?" and often includes comparing the cognitive capacities of non-human animals to humans.
This episode is brought to you by Swanwick. Right now, Swanwick is offering Doctor’s Farmacy listeners 15% off. Just go to swannies.com/hyman, and enter code HYMAN at check out.
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