

Do We Need a New Word for 'Happiness'? Katie Couric talks to Dr Laurie Santos
22 snips Apr 10, 2023
Award-winning journalist Katie Couric interviews Dr. Laurie Santos, a leading expert in happiness. They dive into the complexities of happiness, discussing how true fulfillment comes from serving others rather than self-centered pursuits. They also examine the impact of modern parenting on children's resilience and social skills, and the importance of intentional well-being strategies. Santos candidly shares her own struggles and offers insights into navigating the pressures of today's world, especially for youth grappling with social media and stress.
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Two Sides of Happiness
- Happiness has two aspects: being happy in your life (positive emotions) and being happy with your life (overall satisfaction).
- These can sometimes be different; you can be satisfied but stressed, or enjoy pleasures but lack meaning.
Flourishing vs. Happiness
- "Flourishing" is a better term for happiness than just positive emotions.
- True flourishing includes negative emotions and challenges, not toxic positivity.
Nature vs. Nurture in Happiness
- Happiness has a heritability of about 30%, meaning biology plays a small role.
- Nurture plays a larger part, offering more opportunities for change through effort.