The Decision Education Podcast Episode 030: The Happiness Blueprint with Dr. Laurie Santos
10 snips
Nov 13, 2024 
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, joins Annie Duke to discuss the science of happiness. They explore how happiness can be cultivated as a skill through intentional practices like gratitude and mindfulness. Santos highlights the impact of time affluence versus famine on mental well-being. They also discuss the rise of anxiety among youth and the importance of meaningful social connections in combating it. The conversation delves into counterfactual thinking, offering insights on its potential for enhancing creativity and gratitude.
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Youth Unhappiness
- Young people are increasingly unhappy, potentially due to social comparison and digital distractions.
- Laurie Santos highlights alarming statistics on depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among college students.
The Relativity of Happiness
- Happiness is relative, not absolute; we compare ourselves to others, impacting our happiness levels.
- Modern life presents more extreme social comparison points than ever before, amplifying this effect.
Happiness Habits Course
- Laurie Santos' course, "Psychology and the Good Life", nudges students to practice happiness habits.
- These include social connection, reducing social media, improving sleep, and mindfulness exercises.
