Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale's 'Happiness Professor,' discusses declining youth happiness, the importance of in-person interactions, and prioritizing others for genuine happiness. Jon and Max touch on agreeing with Ron DeSantis and debunking Twitter conspiracy theories.
Young Americans face declining happiness due to loneliness and self-focus culture.
Negative social media news fuels anxiety and doomerism among the youth.
In-person interactions are crucial for mental well-being and sense of belonging.
Deep dives
Factors Affecting Young Americans' Happiness
The World Happiness Report highlighted a decline in the US's ranking, particularly impacting Americans under 30. Young people in the US face challenges such as loneliness, reduced social support, and a self-focused culture, contributing to their declining wellbeing. The perception of economic prospects and a lack of hope compared to previous generations also play a role in young Americans' happiness.
Impact of Social Media and News Cycle on Well-Being
The constant stream of negative news and information on social media, particularly in English-speaking countries like the US, UK, and Australia, amplifies anxiety and fuels a sense of doomerism among young people. The influx of information and opinions, combined with traditional media's negativity bias, contributes to increased stress and decreased happiness levels among the youth.
Engaging in Real-Time Social Connections
Research shows that in-person interactions are most beneficial for mental well-being, followed by real-time connections through phone calls, Zoom, or FaceTime. The quality of connections, especially in real time, plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of loneliness. Not-in-real-time interactions, like texting and messaging, fall short in fulfilling the need for meaningful social bonds.
Balancing Academic Achievement and Well-Being in Youth
The pursuit of high grades and academic success can negatively impact young people's well-being by prioritizing extrinsic rewards over internal satisfaction. The emphasis on grades and academic performance has led to a time-famine among youth, reducing their sense of time affluence and well-being. Finding a balance between academic achievement and personal happiness involves promoting internal rewards, creating time for social connections, and prioritizing holistic well-being over strict academic pursuits.
Importance of Happiness in Predicting Future Success
Being cheerful and maintaining high levels of positive emotions can significantly predict future success, such as job obtainment and income levels. Research indicates that individuals who exhibit higher levels of cheerfulness at a younger age are more likely to secure enjoyable, high-paying jobs as they grow older. This challenges the notion that sacrificing happiness and mental well-being to excel academically is necessary for future success, highlighting the significance of prioritizing mental health and happiness in youth.
Impact of Workplace Happiness on Company Success
Studies show that companies with the happiest employees tend to perform better economically, outperforming traditional market indices like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones. Research from the University of Oxford and job site Indeed reveals a positive correlation between employee happiness and company earnings. Factors like feeling valued and having strong social connections at work play a pivotal role in shaping workplace happiness, surpassing the impact of salary and work-life balance on overall job satisfaction.
Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale University's “Happiness Professor,” joins Offline to lay out a scientific guide to finding happiness. On her podcast The Happiness Lab and in her course Psychology and the Good Life (the most popular in Yale’s 300 year history), Laurie educates people on the way our brains lie about what makes us happy and helps them reorient their priorities to find genuine happiness. She sits down with Jon to talk about the root causes of declining happiness among young people, why in-person interaction is a crucial part of being human, and why putting others before ourselves makes us happier than fulfilling what we think we want. But first! Jon and Max are surprised to learn they agree with Ron DeSantis and break down the ridiculous conspiracy theories that have taken over Twitter after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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