Children and listeners around the world share what makes them happy, from spending time with family and pets to engaging in their favorite activities. The concept of happiness is explored, debunking the misconception of shared happiness and emphasizing individuality. The importance of relationships, learning new skills, and finding personal joy is discussed. The episode also features an interview with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin.
Positive relationships with family, friends, and neighbors contribute to happiness.
Engaging in activities that bring joy and passion is essential for happiness.
Deep dives
The Importance of Relationships for Happiness
Research shows that having positive relationships with family, friends, and neighbors contributes to happiness. Feeling connected, confiding in others, and sharing interests with them can boost happiness. Kids shared how their family and friends bring them joy.
Learning and Accomplishments Bring Happiness
Learning new things and achieving goals bring happiness. Kids mentioned activities like tying shoes, reading books, playing instruments, and building with Legos that made them happy. Gretchen Rubin emphasizes the importance of finding activities that bring personal joy.
The Power of Hugs and Physical Touch
Physical touch, like hugs, hand-holding, or patting, can bring comfort, calmness, and happiness. Emotional contagion allows us to share our emotions with others. Kids mentioned the happiness they feel when receiving hugs from loved ones.
Finding Fun and Passion in Activities
Engaging in activities that bring joy and passion is essential for happiness. Kids mentioned outdoor play, sports, arts and crafts, reading, playing games, and exploring. Gretchen Rubin encourages discovering personal interests and making time for activities that bring happiness.
For our last episode of each year, we often like to ask our listeners around the world to send us something fun. This year, we wanted you to tell us what makes you happy and you had a lot to share on that topic! Our listeners find happiness in spending time with friends, family, and pets and in doing activities they love: playing with friends, toys, arts and crafts, participating in sports, watching movies, and riding bikes. Two people say the special sandwiches their adults make them are what bring them happiness. And some kids told us learning new skills is especially exciting for them. In this episode: a happiness bonanza with all the responses we got. Plus we talk with a happiness expert: Gretchen Rubin. She’s the author of the Happiness Project and host of a podcast called Happier with Gretchen Rubin.