In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and happiness expert, delves into the science behind lasting happiness. She distinguishes between “being happy in your life,” which refers to emotional happiness, and “being happy with your life,” a more cognitive perspective. The conversation highlights the importance of social connections—especially face-to-face interactions—being present in the moment by minimizing phone distractions, and practicing gratitude and delight. They also discuss the value of reframing negative experiences as tools to appreciate future happiness. Additionally, they touch on the challenges of hedonic adaptation, or how we can become desensitized to good things, and emphasize the significance of finding meaning and purpose through activities that resonate with our personal values and strengths.
