The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Do We Need a New Word for 'Happiness'? Katie Couric talks to Dr Laurie Santos
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Apr 10, 2023 
Award-winning journalist Katie Couric interviews Dr. Laurie Santos, a leading expert in happiness. They dive into the complexities of happiness, discussing how true fulfillment comes from serving others rather than self-centered pursuits. They also examine the impact of modern parenting on children's resilience and social skills, and the importance of intentional well-being strategies. Santos candidly shares her own struggles and offers insights into navigating the pressures of today's world, especially for youth grappling with social media and stress.
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Katie Couric's Cancer Experience
- Katie Couric's breast cancer diagnosis, unlike her husband's and sister's stage four diagnoses, was early and treatable.
- This experience increased her gratitude and wasn't traumatic, highlighting the impact of perspective.
Kindness Boosts Happiness
- Do nice things for others; it's a cross-cultural universal for increasing happiness.
- Self-focused people are generally less happy than those serving others.
Striving vs. Happiness
- Constant striving can decrease happiness because achieving goals shifts focus to the next pursuit.
- Yale students, despite achieving a major goal, often feel unfulfilled, highlighting that achievement doesn't guarantee happiness.