Latest news with #LaurieSantos
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 Things You Should Do At Night If You Want To Be Happier In The Morning
Setting yourself up for a good day doesn't just mean having a solid morning routine in place (though that's important too). How you spend your evenings is a key part of the equation, yet one that's sometimes overlooked. You might be surprised at how a few small tweaks to your nighttime habits can make a considerable difference in your happiness come morning. We asked experts to share what evening practices will have the most positive effect on your mood the following day. Here's what we learned: Take an evening walk. Maybe it's a post-dinner stroll around the block or one last potty walk with your dog before you turn in for the night. But just a few minutes gentle movement outdoors can reduce blood sugar levels after a meal and help you wind down. 'I go for a walk every evening, which allows me to process the day's information as my blood flow increases to my brain,' U.K. psychologist and well-being specialist Lee Chambers told HuffPost. 'This mental tidying up gives my busy mind a level of peace, meaning I go to bed with a quiet environment and a quiet internal dialogue.' If you're going to be walking outside when it's dark, be sure to take some basic safety precautions: wear reflective gear or bright-colored clothes, choose a well-lit and familiar route, ask someone else to tag along or bring your phone just in case you need it (but avoid texting, putting in your headphones or other distractions). Put your phone down, ideally in another room. You've no doubt noticed that a good night's sleep has a significant effect on your mental state the next morning — and there's 'tons of evidence' supporting that, said Laurie Santos, a Yale University psychology professor and host of 'The Happiness Lab' podcast. To get better-quality rest, focus on improving your 'sleep hygiene,' which refers to the lifestyle habits and environmental factors that affect our sleep. And how we use our devices at night is a big part of that. 'Turn off your screens about 30 minutes before bed, and consider keeping your devices away from your bed so you're not tempted to check them out at night,' Santos told HuffPost. 'I also recommend getting one of those old-school alarm clocks that don't talk to social media or your email.' We live in a hyperstimulating world that can put our senses on overdrive, Chambers said. Avoiding screens is one way to remedy that, but there are other things we can do to soothe our senses. 'Consider stacking sensory wind-down rituals, including relaxing scents, calming sounds and soothing warm drinks, allowing our senses to disconnect and connect back with more strength the following morning,' he said. Take a warm bath (or shower). Justine Grosso, a mind-body psychologist licensed in New York and North Carolina, is a proponent of an evening bath for its physical and mental health benefits, she told HuffPost. 'Totally immersing yourself in water, as opposed to showering, has been shown to lift mood in people with depression, improve sleep for people with insomnia and have positive effects on the cardiovascular system,' she explained. That being said, if you don't have a tub or if baths just aren't your thing, a pre-bed shower ritual has benefits, too. As sleep adviser Robert Oexman previously told HuffPost, 'showering at night can enhance sleep by augmenting the decrease in core body temperature that is necessary to initiate sleep and maintain proper sleep at night.' Do a body scan. According to Cortland Dahl, a research scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds, a mindful body scan is a powerful way to ease chronic stress and mental rumination. You can do this simple mindfulness exercise while lying in bed. 'Bring attention to each part of your body, starting with your head and moving slowly down until you reach your toes,' he told HuffPost. 'Pay attention to the sensations you notice in your body with a sense of warmth and non-judgmental curiosity. This activates the brain network critical for self-regulation and inner balance. It's also a great way to de-stress and let go of all the tension that builds up in our busy lives.' Grosso also suggests practices like yoga nidra (a meditative technique in which you 'cycle your awareness around your body,' she said) or gentle stretching. Either will activate your parasympathetic nervous system — the one responsible for the body's 'rest and digest' response. This method 'helps you feel more calm and drift off to a night of restorative sleep,' she said. 'Over time these practices can help your body more reliably and quickly return to a sense of ease and emotional regulation after a stressful event.' Reflect on the day. Many of us are more likely to fret about all the things we haven't checked off our to-do list on a given day than we are to stop and appreciate the progress we made. 'Whether written or reflected upon, note the steps taken towards a goal, the challenges overcome or tasks completed, no matter how small,' Chambers said. 'And that feeling of progression will create the groundwork for some forward momentum on the following day.' Dahl also called self-reflection 'a great practice to end a busy day.' He suggests taking a moment to think about what you learned and how you grew that day. 'See if you can reframe stressful events as opportunities for self-discovery or to align with your most cherished values or guiding principles,' he said. 'This simple practice strengthens our capacity for insight and can help us to approach the next day with an open mind that is ready to learn.' End your day with gratitude. Before you go to sleep, write down three to five things you're thankful for. Santos pointed to the research of psychologist Robert Emmons, a professor at the University of California, Davis. He and his colleagues 'found that the simple act of listing your blessings in life can lead to significant improvements in your well-being,' she said. 'So make your night-time gratitude list a daily habit.' Dahl also recommends closing out the day with a short gratitude practice. 'If you spend a few minutes reflecting on people you appreciate and things you're grateful for as part of your bedtime routine, you'll naturally feel less stressed and more connected as you drift off to sleep,' he said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This New, Free Parenting Class Is the Happiness Reset Burned-Out Parents Desperately Need
What does it mean to be happy? Not just satisfied or content or joyful — but to be truly, blissfully happy? Sometimes, happiness feels as elusive as a magic lamp, especially when we're in the midst of raising children (and navigating the current political climate). It may just take a change in mindset to discover what happiness really means, which is something that Yale University psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos knows all about. The renowned professor, whose course 'The Science of Well-Being' has over 4.5 million people enrolled, just released a brand-new online course designed specifically for parents. And we couldn't be more excited! 'The Science of Well-Being' course is the most popular in Yale's history. It dives into the psychological science of living a happier life, which covers misconceptions about happiness, how our biases affect happiness, what strategies we can use to boost our happiness, and techniques to achieve our happiness goals. That course is amazing for everyone — but 'The Science of Well-Being for Parents' is tailor-made for those in the thick of raising kids. It covers time management, dealing with mom guilt and frustration, and navigating modern parenting struggles, like your child's academic stress and screen time. More from SheKnows 'Maycember' Is Maxing Moms Out - Emotionally & Financially 'The Science of Well-Being for Parents' is seven hours long, but each minute is worth it. This is the class for parents who see their child melting down and want to help, rather than punish, them. Who want to teach their kids how to have a happy life by modeling one themselves. Using the latest research in psychological science, this course will teach you 'how to reframe your thoughts, manage your emotions, and modify your behaviors in response to everyday challenges.' As a mom of 7-, 6-, and 3-year-old boys, I've seen parenting influencers, read parenting books, and had countless discussions about raising kids with my mom friends. But the problem is, no one gets into the nitty gritty of what to actually do when your child is screaming bloody murder, and everyone is staring at you. Or when they tell you they hate you, or refuse to get dressed before school, or when they won't eat anything. It's exhausting and stressful — and platitudes like 'everyone goes through this' aren't helpful when you actually just don't know what to do. It's even worse when they give you advice that you don't agree with. How do I filter out the noise and find what works best for my family? In 'The Science of Well-Being for Parents,' Dr. Santos attempts to answer this by offering tips on building 'more effective family dynamics,' as well as prioritizing yourself and creating a happier family life. It sounds impossible — and a little overwhelming — but Dr. Santos breaks it down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to listen to, reflect on, and learn. There is a mix of short videos (with a transcript if you prefer reading), videos of parents asking Dr. Santos their most pressing questions with her responses, and short writing prompts to help you reflect on what you've learned. She also brings in other parenting experts to make it well-rounded. Grab a babysitter to do the full class at once, or spread it out over several weeks. 'I feel like my parenting light turned on,' a mom named Juliette said about the course. Kristi S, another happy parent, said the course made her feel validated: 'I now feel like I have the scientific tools necessary to help my children regulate their fight-or-flight systems to feel in control of their bodies and regain a sense of calm.' Dr. Santos, who also hosts The Happiness Lab podcast, which dives deep into the latest psychology and neuroscience research surrounding happiness, opened up about her journey into happiness research in an interview with Flow Space. 'My journey into happiness started by seeing how unhappy my college students were at Yale,' she told the outlet. 'I was in this role, called the head of college on campus, which meant I was meeting and working closely with students, and I was seeing this college student mental health crisis. Right now, nationally, more than 40 percent of college students report being too depressed to function. More than two-thirds say they're overwhelmingly anxious.' 'It's a really tough time right now for young people,' she added. 'So I just thought: My field of psychology might have something to say about what we can do to make people feel better.' Enter her viral class, popular podcast, and now, her new course focused just for parents. 'We're giving parents strategies that they can use to feel better themselves and also that they can share with their kids to make sure their kids aren't a statistic,' Dr. Santos explained. I'm still working through the course, but I've already gained one invaluable benefit from these lessons: hope. Whether you're a new parent or you feel like you've tried it all, sometimes a fresh perspective and a sense of community are all you need to know you aren't alone. If you're a tired or overwhelmed parent, this course can give you a bit of hope, revitalizing your spirit enough to keep showing up for your family (and yourself). Sign up for Dr. Santos' free 'The Science of Well-Being for Parents' class HERE. Best of SheKnows Every Single Celebrity Parent Who Welcomed Twins Beyoncé, Chris Hemsworth, & More Celebs Share the Most Important Life Lessons They've Learned From Their Moms Recent Baby & Toddler Product Recalls Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know About
The Star
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Study shows young adults not as happy as before
NEW YORK, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Young adults across the world between the ages of 18 and 29 were struggling, not only with happiness, but also with their physical and mental health, their perceptions of their own character, finding meaning in life, the quality of their relationships and their financial security, according to a new study. The data, collected by Gallup primarily in 2023, was derived from self-reported surveys of more than 200,000 people in over 20 countries and published in the journal Nature Mental Health on Wednesday. The study was one of a collection of papers based on the inaugural wave of data from the Global Flourishing Study, a collaboration between researchers at Harvard and Baylor University. The study participants had relatively low measures of flourishing on average until age 50, the study found. This was the case in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. But the difference between the younger and older adults was largest in the United States, The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing the researchers. "Young adulthood has long been considered a carefree time, a period of limitless opportunity and few obligations. But data from the flourishing study and elsewhere suggests that for many people, this notion is more fantasy than reality," said The Times in its report about the study. "Study after study shows that social connection is critical for happiness, and young people are spending less time with friends than they were a decade ago," Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale and host of "The Happiness Lab" podcast, was quoted as saying. "Plus, like folks of all ages, young people are facing a world with a whole host of global issues, from climate to the economy to political polarization."
New York Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- New York Times
A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren't
The happiness curve is collapsing. For decades, research showed that the way people experienced happiness across their lifetimes looked like a U-shaped curve. Happiness tended to be high when they were young, then dipped in midlife, only to rise again as they grew old. But recent surveys suggest that young adults aren't as happy as they used to be, and that U-shaped curve is starting to flatten. This pattern has shown up yet again in a new study, one of a collection of papers published on Wednesday in the journal Nature Mental Health. They are the first publications based on the inaugural wave of data from the Global Flourishing Study, a collaboration between researchers at Harvard and Baylor University. The data, collected by Gallup primarily in 2023, was derived from self-reported surveys of more than 200,000 people in over 20 countries. It found that, on average, young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 were struggling — not only with happiness, but also with their physical and mental health, their perceptions of their own character, finding meaning in life, the quality of their relationships and their financial security. The researchers combined these measures to determine the degree that each participant was 'flourishing,' or living in a state where all aspects of life were good. The study participants had relatively low measures of flourishing on average until age 50, the study found. This was the case in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. But the difference between the younger and older adults was largest in the United States, the researchers said. 'It is a pretty stark picture,' said Tyler J. VanderWeele, the lead author of the study and director of Harvard's Human Flourishing Program. The findings raise an important question, he said: 'Are we sufficiently investing in the well-being of youth?' Young adulthood has long been considered a carefree time, a period of limitless opportunity and few obligations. But data from the flourishing study and elsewhere suggests that for many people, this notion is more fantasy than reality. A 2023 report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, for example, found that young adults ages 18-25 in the United States reported double the rates of anxiety and depression as teens. On top of that, perfectionism has skyrocketed among college students, who often report feeling pressure to meet unrealistic expectations. Participation in community organizations, clubs and religious groups has declined, and loneliness is now becoming as prevalent among young adults as it is among older adults. 'Study after study shows that social connection is critical for happiness, and young people are spending less time with friends than they were a decade ago,' said Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale and host of 'The Happiness Lab' podcast. 'Plus, like folks of all ages, young people are facing a world with a whole host of global issues — from climate to the economy to political polarization.' Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, the science director of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, put it this way: 'Our welfare is dependent on the welfare of every other human. We don't just get to be happy and put a fence around ourselves.' In her view, the flourishing data reflects the 'long-term consequences of being hyperfocused on status and power,' especially in the U.S., rather than our place within a larger community. Given that the surveys were administered at different times, in different languages and in different economic, political and cultural environments, it is challenging to directly compare the different countries, Dr. VanderWeele said. While the geographic scope of the study was vast, the current analysis does not include mainland China, where data collection was delayed. In addition, low-income countries were not represented. Not every country saw flourishing increase with age. There were some countries, such as Poland and Tanzania, where flourishing actually decreased as people grew older. While others, including Japan and Kenya, showed the more traditional U-shaped pattern: Flourishing was highest during youth and old age. But in most of the Western countries — and many others — young adults don't appear to be flourishing. The Global Flourishing Study will continue to collect data annually through 2027 and attempt to uncover the reasons, Dr. VanderWeele said. 'We know that the young are in trouble,' said David G. Blanchflower, a professor of economics at Dartmouth College who was not involved in the flourishing study but whose own research has uncovered the same patterns. Dr. Blanchflower is helping to organize a conference at Dartmouth in partnership with the United Nations so that experts can share research and ideas for solutions to the downward trend. There are several theories as to why young people are in trouble, he said, but he suspects that the problem is largely tied to what they aren't doing because they're busy looking at screens. 'It's not that they're bowling alone,' he added, referring to Robert D. Putnam's seminal book, published 25 years ago, that warned about the dangers of social isolation. 'It's that they are not bowling at all.'
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Want to opt for Happiness Courses? Check out these four free courses to get a better life
Have you ever thought about learning what happiness is, what makes us happy, and how to achieve a happy life? This thought seems unreal because happiness is an emotion; theoretically, you cannot read and learn it. Want to work as a Google Intern? Check out the answers to FAQs before applying But to prove you wrong, several renowned universities and institutions offer happiness courses to students. These happiness courses will help you get a detailed idea about happiness and its ways to achieve it. Managing Happiness by Harvard University: This course is about understanding diverse definitions of happiness and its function in everyday life, and applying the mind, body and community science to manage emotions and behaviours for greater happiness. It introduces you to the modern science of human well-being and shows you how to practice it. Unlike other happiness courses, Managing Happiness goes a step further. It demonstrates how you can share ideas with others, thus bringing more happiness and love to the world and supercharging your efforts for well-being. Juggling to achieve Work-Life Balance? Harvard shares 5 steps to achieve it The Science of Well-Being by Yale University: Offered by Yale University, this course will help you engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your happiness and build more productive habits. In preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos revealed misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. BerkeleyX's The Science of Happiness: The first MOOC to teach you ground-breaking science of positive psychology, which explores the roots of a happy and meaningful life. Students will engage with some of this science's most provocative and practical lessons, discovering how cutting-edge research can be applied to their lives. Want to increase your salary? 7 tips to master the art of salary negotiation Positive Psychology by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: This course discusses research findings in positive psychology, conducted by Barbara Fredrickson and her colleagues. It also features practical applications of this science that you can use immediately to help you live a whole and meaningful life. There are six modules in this course.
