Psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos teaches about happiness at Yale. Her research lab has summarized the voluminous data on what actually makes us happy.

The main themes:

• • developing a sense of meaning or purpose
  • connection with other people
  • meditation and reflection
  • taking time off/resting if you are overwhelmed (avoiding burnout)
  • sense of belonging
  • overcoming impulses in the moment: instead of Netflix or scrolling, try exercising, journaling, or reading
  • having a sense of gratitude increases emotional self-regulation, even during times of stress
  • money generally does not make us happy. If you live below the poverty line, more money increases happiness. If you make $100,000 and you increase it to $600,000, your happiness goes up from 64 points to 65 points. Pretty much the same as getting a good night of sleep. Past a certain point, more money does not lead to increased happiness or life satisfaction
  • avoiding down comparisons: the feeling that happiness is just around the corner and other people are happier than you are
  • how to increase happiness: Reflect on the acronym www.:
    • • WHAT is your reason to do something
      • WHY did you want to do it? Was it avoidance, a passion for something, the desire to learn…?
      • WHEN did you do it? Timing and dosage.

See also: Stones Across the River.