36-year-old happiness researcher shares what it means—and what it takes—to be happy: 'Don't just worry about yourself'
Two decades later, Plant, 36, is a global happiness researcher at the Happier Lives Institute, which publishes the annual World Happiness Report. As the founder and research director of HLI and a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, Plant knows a lot about what makes people happier.
Happiness, Plant says, is "the experience of feeling good overall. I think it's that simple."
Here's what he does every day to maximize his own happiness and overall wellbeing. Plus, his biggest takeaways from the research he's conducted about what it means to be happy — and what it takes.CNBC Make It: What is the No. 1 lesson you've learned about happiness?
That's a really hard question to answer because you want to say something that is novel, evidence-based and life-changing, and it's pretty hard to come up with something that is all three of those.
I think I'd say two things.
The first is about the importance of mental health. When you look at the data, mental health has so much of a bigger effect than we seem to believe it does. So, tip number one is don't get depressed. I say that as half a joke, because, of course, people don't choose that, but it really is one of the worst things for you.
And if you are depressed, go talk to your friends, talk to a doctor. Therapy does work.
The second thing is that a lot of our discussion about happiness is overly self-centered. I think if you want to live a happy life, then don't just worry about yourself. You want to worry about making a difference in other people's lives. We want to be connected and useful to other people.
What are some of the practices that stand out as actually helping people feel true happiness?
Think about the quality of your connections with other people.
Do you have a partner that loves you? Do you have friends who care about you and who you can share things with? Then, branch out: Do you have weaker ties with people who you see every now and then, who make you feel like part of a community?
You have to actively work to form social bonds.
What are your daily habits for your overall well-being?
I wake up and I try to be grateful for things, and I don't always succeed. I have my coffee and stare out of the window and see what's going on in the lives of people opposite me.
And what do we spend most of our lives doing? Working. I feel extremely lucky that I have a job where I feel like what I'm doing is useful and that I have good colleagues. We have good relationships with each other, and that's really important and rejuvenating.
I would hate to be, say, a corporate lawyer. I know that would be higher in status, and I would earn many times more, but I wouldn't enjoy my life day by day. That's the distinctive thing. On this odd entrepreneurial journey, I'm doing something that I think is important. I would recommend that to others. It's not always easy, but I think it's quite rewarding.
And then I have a habit of exercising basically every day, so I will make sure I get out of the house and do things.
Can you share the things you do to improve your mood and feel happier?
I have this mental checklist I run through that I write down. So if I'm in a bad mood, I check it. Have I eaten something? Have I left the house? Have I spoken to someone? And have I exercised?
Once I've run through those four, if I'm not feeling better, then it's quite serious.
For the big things, I talk to my fiancé. And I actually just recently stopped seeing a therapist, but I quite regularly see a therapist. That helps shift the bigger things that you don't want to necessarily burden your partner or your friends with.
How do you manage stress during tumultuous times?
Something that's worth saying is that I may be a happiness researcher and sort of obsessive, but I get upset, stressed and angry. All of these things happen. These are the unavoidable bits of life.
I use the serenity prayer. When I'm not sure what to do, that often comes to mind. So 'Can I do anything about what I'm worried about, or do I just need to accept it?' And often the challenge is knowing which one of the two it is. But often I'll realize that, 'Okay, I'm annoyed about this, but I can't actually do much about it.'
I then try and get myself out of the house, get some exercise, eat something or talk to my partner as a way to try to manage stress. People talk about 'good vibes only.' And actually, I don't think that's reasonable. We should try for good vibes mostly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Weight Loss May Improve Pregnancy Odds
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Weight loss interventions for people who are overweight and obese undertaken before turning to IVF could increase the chances of getting pregnant naturally. This is the conclusion of researchers from University of Oxford who reviewed 12 past studies involving nearly 2,000 patients from 1980 to May of this year. They compared a woman's weight to how likely they were to become pregnant either without IVF (unassisted pregnancy), with IVF (treatment-induced pregnancy) and overall (unassisted plus treatment-induced)—as well as whether they delivered a live baby. "All participants in the included studies were candidates for IVF. Before having IVF, they were offered weight loss support. The women who got pregnant naturally, ended up not needing to have IVF," study author and dietician Moscho Michalopoulou told Newsweek. Side view pregnant woman with advanced pregnant belly belly in hands. Side view pregnant woman with advanced pregnant belly belly in criteria included studies conducted on women who were at least 18 years old with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater who were seeking IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment (ICSI) for infertility. "IVF and ICSI are assisted reproductive techniques where oocytes [cells involved in reproduction] are fertilized outside the body, before embryos are transferred back into the woman's womb. The key difference is how the fertilization is achieved," Michalopoulou explained. "Regular IVF egg and sperm are typically mixed in a Petri dish, with ICSI, the sperm is directly injected into the egg." The researchers found that participants were typically women in their early 30s with a median baseline BMI of 33.6 kg/m². The weight loss interventions studied included low-energy diets, an exercise program accompanied by healthy eating advice and pharmacotherapy accompanied by diet and physical activity advice. "Low-energy diets, also known as total diet replacements, typically use liquid formula products to replace real food and induce a much larger energy deficit with total energy intake of no more than 1000 kcal/day, followed by gradual reintroduction of foods for weight stabilization," Michalopoulou explained. She said these are safe for women when supervised and supported to follow such a program, with a lot of literature on the effectiveness of these diets. "In this one study, the main intervention being tested was high-intensity interval training (referenced as Kiel 2018 in the paper). At the same time, participants were advised to eat healthy as per national healthy eating recommendations," said Michalopoulou. In terms of the 'pharmacotherapy' intervention, she added, "Participants were instructed to take weight loss medication which was the main intervention being tested, but at the same time, they were given healthy eating advice or a hypocaloric diet [low in calories], plus advice on how to increase their physical activity, e.g. doing more steps, or doing exercise." Overall, weight loss interventions before IVF were associated with greater unassisted pregnancy rates, according to the researchers. "Regardless of weight loss method used, across all studies, women with obesity who participated in a supported weight loss program before IVF had 47 percent higher chances of getting pregnant naturally, compared to women in the comparator groups who typically received standard care," said Michalopoulou. "Therefore, more women in the intervention than in the comparator groups did not need to have IVF treatment to get pregnant, as they got pregnant naturally." However, evidence was inconclusive on the effect of weight loss interventions on treatment-induced pregnancies. Illustration representing IVF process with eggs fertilized with sperm. Illustration representing IVF process with eggs fertilized with sperm."It is unclear if weight loss interventions before IVF have an effect on the chances of getting pregnant through IVF. In some studies there were more IVF pregnancies in the intervention groups compared to standard care, in some others there were fewer IVF pregnancies compared to standard care—and in some others there was no difference in IVF pregnancy rates compared to standard care," Michalopoulou explained. "This large variability, combined with other methodological issues of the included studies, prevent us from having a clear conclusion on whether weight loss programs before IVF have an effect on IVF-induced pregnancy success or not." Evidence on the association between weight loss interventions before IVF and live births was uncertain—mainly because there were fewer studies that reported live birth outcomes—although there was moderate certainty of no association with pregnancy loss. "Obesity can lead to female infertility through hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, inflammation, and polycystic ovary syndrome. All of these can lead to ovulatory dysfunction," said Michalopoulou. "Obesity has also been associated with lower IVF success for women with infertility, such as requiring higher doses of treatment, reduced response to the medications, reduced chances of getting pregnant, and increased chances of miscarriage if a pregnancy is achieved." "Maintaining a healthier weight can help improve hormone balance, increase insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and improve ovulation. For women seeking IVF, lowering their BMI to healthier levels may improve sensitivity and response to the treatment, improve egg quality and uterine function, and as a result, increase their chances of getting pregnant." However, everyone is different, the researcher noted. "Many larger women will have healthy pregnancies. But evidence shows that starting pregnancy carrying too much weight and gaining too much weight during pregnancy are both associated with greater risks of complications. This does not mean that every woman living with obesity will develop these complications—just that there will likely be more complications than in women who start pregnancy in the normal BMI range" The researchers hope their systematic review and analysis of randomized controlled trials will lead to more advanced trials. "We already know weight loss can help with fertility, but whether it improves IVF outcomes is far less certain. This review sheds some light, but most of the studies are small and at high risk of bias, so the results need cautious interpretation. IVF bypasses many obesity-related barriers, but what is still unclear is if delaying treatment for weight loss truly boosts success rates," said Ying Cheong—a professor of reproductive medicine of the University of Southampton who was not involved in the present study—in a statement. "Weight loss interventions before IVF appear to increase the chances of pregnancy, especially through natural conception, which may negate the need for IVF treatment, and does not seem to increase the risk of pregnancy loss. This offers hope to women with obesity and infertility," Michalopoulou said. "However, the evidence is limited and unclear on whether weight loss interventions before IVF have an effect on live birth rates, and more evidence from larger, high-quality trials is needed to test this." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about pregnancy? Let us know via health@ Reference Michalopoulou, M., Jebb, S. A., Hobson, A., Khaw, S. C., Stevens, R., Melo, P., Haffner, S. J. P., Clay, K. S., Mounsey, S., Granne, I., Lim, L., Child, T., & Astbury, N. M. (2025). The effect of weight loss before in vitro fertilization on reproductive outcomes in women with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 178(9).
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Scientists make incredible plant discovery that could help solve major issue in food system: 'It's the signal that initiates healing'
Scientists make incredible plant discovery that could help solve major issue in food system: 'It's the signal that initiates healing' Scientists at the University of Helsinki have found that plants use gas movement to heal their protective outer layers. When a plant's outer cork layer gets damaged, gases shift. Ethylene escapes while oxygen flows in through the wound. This simple gas exchange tells the plant to start repairs. The protective cork layer, called the periderm, normally blocks gases from moving in or out, which creates conditions where ethylene (a plant hormone) builds up inside while oxygen levels drop due to the plant's natural growth processes. When damage occurs, this balance gets disrupted. "Gas diffusion through a wound isn't just a consequence of injury — it's the signal that initiates healing," explained Dr. Hiroyuki Iida, the lead scientist on the project. The team first noticed ethylene's role in healing, then worked with University of Oxford Professor Francesco Licausi to confirm oxygen's importance, too. Once repairs finish and the barrier seals back up, gases again accumulate inside the plant, which signals that healing can stop and normal growth can resume. This elegant detection system works without complex sensors, using basic physics to monitor barrier integrity. This discovery holds promise for the future of food waste and crop resilience. Potatoes, carrots, fruits, and other produce with damaged outer layers tend to lose water and become more susceptible to disease, ultimately leading to spoilage. By studying and improving this natural repair system, farmers might grow plants that handle dry conditions better, while picked produce could stay fresh for longer in stores. With warming temperatures and growing populations putting pressure on global food systems, this finding creates promising paths for more sustainable farming. Improving how plants heal could help feed more people while cutting waste throughout the food supply chain. Researchers are now exploring practical uses that could reach farms and food storage facilities within the next few years. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Boston Globe
Chikungunya spreads in southern China
Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus of the same name. The chikungunya virus was first identified in people sickened during an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952. Its name is derived from a word in the Makonde language, which means 'that which bends up,' due to the severe pain it can cause. Chikungunya is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and mostly causes mild symptoms. The majority of people who get chikungunya recover without needing medical attention after one to two weeks. Advertisement What are the symptoms of chikungunya? Chikungunya typically produces symptoms including fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, and a rash. But in rare cases, it can cause debilitating joint pain that persists for months or even years. Patients who get severely ill often require hospitalization because of the risk of organ damage. The World Health Organization says severe cases and deaths are rare and mostly occur in babies or elderly people with underlying health conditions. Is there a treatment or vaccine? There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, but health workers can treat the symptoms by giving medicines to lower fevers or ease muscle pain. Two vaccines have been approved in several regions, including Britain, Brazil, Canada, and Europe. Those are mostly targeted at travelers and are not widely available in the countries most affected by chikungunya. Where does chikungunya normally occur? Chikungunya causes regular outbreaks in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, with occasional small epidemics in Europe. Advertisement As of July, there have been about 240,000 cases of chikungunya, including 90 deaths in 16 countries, according to the European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control. The countries that reported the highest number of infections were Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru. What's happening in China? With thousands of confirmed cases, this appears to be the biggest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to César López-Camacho of the University of Oxford. 'What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before,' he said in a statement. 'This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly.' In response to the outbreak in Foshan, near Hong Kong, Chinese authorities have begun taking measures like distributing mosquito nets, having workers spray residential areas, streets, and construction sites with insecticide. People who do not empty bottles, flower pots, or other outdoor receptacles, where water might accumulate and allow mosquitoes to breed, can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures this year have worsened the crisis in China. Are we seeing more chikungunya outbreaks? Yes. The number of outbreaks has increased since 2000, just as there have been more outbreaks of other mosquito-transmitted diseases like dengue and Zika, according to Robert Jones, an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Jones said in a statement that in 2013, chikungunya was first seen in the island of St. Martin and that over the next three years, cases were confirmed in almost 50 countries in the Caribbean and the Americas, with more than one million suspected cases. Advertisement Jones said the risks of chikungunya epidemics have risen due to climate change and urban expansion, warning that the current outbreak could spread to other parts of southern China with humid climates and dense cities.
