Dr. Laurie Santos

But there was a rich similarity, which is that when you start looking into the happiness science work, you quickly realize a big way that we get things wrong, which is that we have some really bad theories about the kinds of things that make us happy.

But there was a rich similarity, which is that when you start looking into the happiness science work, you quickly realize a big way that we get things wrong, which is that we have some really bad theories about the kinds of things that make us happy.

But there was a rich similarity, which is that when you start looking into the happiness science work, you quickly realize a big way that we get things wrong, which is that we have some really bad theories about the kinds of things that make us happy.

You know, I talk to my students and on my podcast, I often say, you know, our minds are lying to us about the sorts of things that will make us happy. You know, we think it's money and changing our circumstances and, you know, getting the perfect accolade or the perfect grade. But those things seem not to work. And that tied really nicely to some of the work we were doing yesterday.

You know, I talk to my students and on my podcast, I often say, you know, our minds are lying to us about the sorts of things that will make us happy. You know, we think it's money and changing our circumstances and, you know, getting the perfect accolade or the perfect grade. But those things seem not to work. And that tied really nicely to some of the work we were doing yesterday.

You know, I talk to my students and on my podcast, I often say, you know, our minds are lying to us about the sorts of things that will make us happy. You know, we think it's money and changing our circumstances and, you know, getting the perfect accolade or the perfect grade. But those things seem not to work. And that tied really nicely to some of the work we were doing yesterday.

in animals where we showed that some of the deepest irrationalities we have in our species might be evolutionarily old. They're kind of built in. And I think the same thing about some of the things we get wrong about happiness, like even knowing these studies, it's hard for me to change my intuitions. You know, I still think, well, if I hit Powerball today, oh, man, I'd be so much happier.

in animals where we showed that some of the deepest irrationalities we have in our species might be evolutionarily old. They're kind of built in. And I think the same thing about some of the things we get wrong about happiness, like even knowing these studies, it's hard for me to change my intuitions. You know, I still think, well, if I hit Powerball today, oh, man, I'd be so much happier.

in animals where we showed that some of the deepest irrationalities we have in our species might be evolutionarily old. They're kind of built in. And I think the same thing about some of the things we get wrong about happiness, like even knowing these studies, it's hard for me to change my intuitions. You know, I still think, well, if I hit Powerball today, oh, man, I'd be so much happier.

Or, you know, if it just wasn't raining today, I'd be so much happier. If, you know, we could change my circumstances drastically, that would really improve my well-being. But I know the scientific work that suggests that's probably not the case.

Or, you know, if it just wasn't raining today, I'd be so much happier. If, you know, we could change my circumstances drastically, that would really improve my well-being. But I know the scientific work that suggests that's probably not the case.

Or, you know, if it just wasn't raining today, I'd be so much happier. If, you know, we could change my circumstances drastically, that would really improve my well-being. But I know the scientific work that suggests that's probably not the case.

Yeah, it's a few of all of those things. I mean, I think one thing in terms of our circumstances, you know, it's worth noting that if you're in really dire traumatic circumstances, yes, getting different circumstances will really improve your well-being. You know, if you're living below the poverty line or if you're in an abusive relationship, you do want to change those circumstances.

Yeah, it's a few of all of those things. I mean, I think one thing in terms of our circumstances, you know, it's worth noting that if you're in really dire traumatic circumstances, yes, getting different circumstances will really improve your well-being. You know, if you're living below the poverty line or if you're in an abusive relationship, you do want to change those circumstances.

Yeah, it's a few of all of those things. I mean, I think one thing in terms of our circumstances, you know, it's worth noting that if you're in really dire traumatic circumstances, yes, getting different circumstances will really improve your well-being. You know, if you're living below the poverty line or if you're in an abusive relationship, you do want to change those circumstances.

But for many of the people privileged enough to listen to this podcast who can, you know, put food on the table, you know, has a roof over their head and so on, you know, changing your circumstances might not affect your happiness as much as you think. For many of us, changing our circumstances isn't the fastest path to feeling a little bit happier.

But for many of the people privileged enough to listen to this podcast who can, you know, put food on the table, you know, has a roof over their head and so on, you know, changing your circumstances might not affect your happiness as much as you think. For many of us, changing our circumstances isn't the fastest path to feeling a little bit happier.

But for many of the people privileged enough to listen to this podcast who can, you know, put food on the table, you know, has a roof over their head and so on, you know, changing your circumstances might not affect your happiness as much as you think. For many of us, changing our circumstances isn't the fastest path to feeling a little bit happier.

Often it's more about changing our mindset, which incorporates a lot of the things you mentioned. You know, it's about changing the way we see the world, changing the way we see our circumstances, changing the extent to which we're present with our circumstances and our emotions. And it's also, you know, tapping into things that give us meaning in life, you know, giving us a sense of purpose.

Often it's more about changing our mindset, which incorporates a lot of the things you mentioned. You know, it's about changing the way we see the world, changing the way we see our circumstances, changing the extent to which we're present with our circumstances and our emotions. And it's also, you know, tapping into things that give us meaning in life, you know, giving us a sense of purpose.