Do You Know the Formula for Happiness?
Dr. Judy Ho
Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist | Tenured Professor | TV & Podcast Host | Published Author
What the latest research tells us about this attainable state of mind.
We all chase happiness.?
But the pursuit of happiness doesn’t work, at least when we’re looking for it outside of ourselves.
We can’t control how others ultimately feel about us. We can try to impact it. We can try to shift it. But, at the end of the day, it’s not something we can force. So, if external approval is the end-all-be-all as your source of happiness, I have some bad news for you.
There are, however, several studies that have looked into the sources of happiness and how we can cultivate more of it in our lives.?
One of the most well known studies is The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which is also known as the longest study on human happiness. Starting in 1938 with 724 participants (including JFK) has gone on to include three generations with over 1300 direct descendants of the original participants.
The current director of the study is Dr. Robert Waldinger. In his TED talk, which has over 26 million views, he shares some of the study’s main conclusions, namely that “Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives.”
Waldinger, unsurprisingly, isn’t the only person looking at human happiness. Researchers? Sonja Lyubomirsky, Kennon M. Sheldon, and David Schkade proposed in 2005 paper the idea that there is a formula to human happiness:
40% actions + 50% genetics + 10% environment.
Now, this is not one-to-one. These percentages speak to the variation in the factors that impacted the studied population. How a factor impacts a group—as collective—does not necessarily mean it will impact one person in the same way. However, it can tell us something important.
It tells us that the choices we make and the actions we take matter. And what we decide to do can have a tangible impact on our happiness.
So, what can you do to achieve happiness?
One popular acronym to boost joy is "GREAT DREAM," which encompasses key components for happiness and well-being:
You will notice that these are all actions. These are not things that are done to you. They are actions that you take.
You have power over how you feel.
If you want community, you can go out and take it, find it, and make it.
One of the biggest things they found was the power of good relationships.
To explore more about the science of happiness, you can listen to my recent podcast episode on Apple or Spotify, or watch it on YouTube.?
I’m so excited to share that I’ve launched a brand new podcast, which you can listen to in Substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube!
My podcast is called Mental Health Bites with Dr. Judy. In just 10 minutes, we dive into a hot topic, answer your burning questions, and leave you with a practical tip to improve your mental wellness. ??
I created this podcast for people who love to learn and improve themselves, but find they don’t have the time to listen to an entire podcast from beginning to end. Mental Health Bites is designed to be consumable while you’re on the go - you can get all the wellness information you need in just 10 minutes!
Here's where you can check out the podcast:
Order my book here: https://bit.ly/3MvuvvF
About me:
Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage.?An avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award, Dr. Judy maintains a private practice where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and expert witness work. She is often called on by the media as an expert psychologist and is also a sought after public speaker for universities, businesses, and organizations.
Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and her masters and doctorate from SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute.
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1 周Amazing Tips!
Curriculum Specialist/Instructional Designer at Standard Bank Group
1 周I love your podcasts. There have been so many amazing tips. Thank you for sharing. I will definitely encourage my work mates to subscribe. It's really made a huge difference in terms of how I see and view my work life, my relationships with others, how to look at life in a more positive light, my attitude, and the list goes on. ??
Technical Services Representative NE at HUBBELL ICD
1 周Hi Dr. J, This article strikes a wonderful cord with me. I'd like to share what makes me so content in this life. I have focused on being a better me every day. Intently. I stay away from negative people / block the negativity while smiling and agreeing but I'm really not hearing anything negative just my own thoughts. I give to St Judes, Everyone must! MUST must!!!! Red cross and anything that sounds worth, More often than not. I am always nice to everyone I meet. That's a must. Smile people! These 4 simple rules are the reason I am almost 60 and happy as I can be. It's wonderful to have such an honestly good wife as well.