Happiness
Actionable insights for a happier life: a curated exploration of what it means to live well. Decoding the mechanics of fulfillment through the lens of neuroscience and behavioral psychology.
Essentials
Gratitude helps break the cycle of always wanting more
Gratitude explains why new gains fade and complaints rise.
videoLove your enemies: a buddhist guide to defeating anger, ego, and self-loathing
In their collaborative work Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier, Robert…
We create a false self in early life to meet external expectations and cope with childhood experiences – James Hollis
James Hollis explores the psychological and spiritual upheaval of midlife as a necessary and meaningful rite of passage. Drawing from…
Having an emergency fund makes people measurably happier
Easily accessible savings, known as precautionary savings, have a profound positive effect on individual well-being. This type of savings provides…
Happiness keeps rising with income for about 80% of people
A 2023 PNAS reanalysis by Killingsworth, Kahneman, and Mellers of 1.7 million phone reports found happiness rising with income for most American workers; only the least happy 15 to 20% stopped gaining above $100,000 a year.
The ideal free time would be 2 to 5 hours/day
As an individual’s free time increases, so does that person’s sense of well-being – but only up to a point.…
Daily Habits
A clear sense of purpose helps your personality grow at any age
Many people believe that personality is set early in life. A growing line of research suggests otherwise. New evidence shows…
The positive impact of cats on mental and physical health
Cats can offer significant mental and physical health benefits. Research shows that interactions with cats can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety,…
Adjusting your environment can help you achieve your goals
A simple way to stay motivated is to change the world around you. Instead of relying only on willpower, set…
Build courage by accepting uncertainty and taking steady action
Bravery is not the absence of fear, it is the choice to move toward what matters while fear is present.…
A tidy home contributes to happiness and productivity
Research shows that having a tidy home promotes happiness and reduces stress. Clutter-free environments not only improve mental well-being but…
Better things to do with free time than watching TV
The article emphasizes shifting from passive TV watching to activities that enrich your personal or professional life. It suggests dedicating…
Deeper Meaning
Spending on experiences, time, and other people raises happiness
Studies by Dunn, Norton, Gilovich, and colleagues link five ways of spending to more happiness: experiences, gifts and donations, time-saving services, paying ahead, and purchases that fit your personality.
Sam Harris & Waking up meditation guide
Sam Harris, an American neuroscientist and philosopher, created the Waking Up mobile app to offer a secular path to meditation…
Kafka’s doll letters were never found, and the love quote is fake
The story of Kafka writing letters from a lost doll comes from Dora Diamant, his last partner. The letters have never been found, and the famous line about love returning in another way was added much later.