After three decades researching human hope and happiness, I discovered a method you can use to measure your happiness. It’s based on this simple equation: Hope ÷ Hunger = Happiness This math formula — hope divided by hunger equals happiness — says that the more hopeful and less hungry you are, the happier you become. … Read more
As the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, my work is dedicated to measuring and understanding what improves people’s wellbeing and overall quality of life. We’re based in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, one of the countries that is consistently ranked the happiest in the world. Danes are often surprised by this fact. As someone … Read more
As a faculty member at Yale, I teach hundreds of people every year. I’ve observed that although all of my students have extraordinary qualities, only some of them go on to live extraordinary lives. What makes them so special? They have a healthy relationship with themselves. Most people, however, have the opposite: a toxic relationship … Read more
In a little-known mountainous area called Hunza Valley, located far north of Pakistan, people seem to defy all medical odds. It is primarily home to the Burusho and Wakhi people, who for centuries have survived and thrived in remote villages â with minimal amenities and rudimentary health facilities. Studies have found that the average life … Read more
So many unhealthy relationship dynamics are fueled by poor communication skills. As a Harvard-trained psychologist who has spent 20 years working with couples, I’ve found that the most damaging way to communicate with your partner is with contempt. Contempt is the belief that a person is beneath you, worthless, or deserving of scorn and ridicule. When someone … Read more
Why higher emotional intelligence boosts happiness Emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to understand and control our emotions, as well as being sensitive to others’ feelings, nurtures our relationships and boosts our empathy. This can lead to stronger social connections. And as we age, our social bonds become even more vital to our well-being. With … Read more
In June 2018, I packed three suitcases and booked a one-way flight from Texas to join my husband in Denmark. We met in 2016 and had been dating long-distance for much of our relationship. We were excited to get married and build a home and life together. We found a wonderful apartment online in a … Read more
The key to successful parenting is understanding that you are the biggest role model in your child’s life. From a very young age, they will watch closely and model themselves after you, so how you act has a significant impact on their behavior. I like to think that mindful modeling helped me raise highly successful … Read more
Picture it: Your co-worker, who you normally get along with, avoided you at lunch, then grunted when you offered to grab him a coffee. He’s clearly annoyed at you, but won’t address it. This is textbook passive-aggressive behavior — a hallmark of people who have trouble handling conflict. As a public speaking trainer, I’ve found that the best way … Read more
Anger is a complicated emotion, and it can be hard to watch your kid try to navigate it. But as a child psychologist with over a decade of clinical experience, I always tell parents that anger is not always a bad thing. Emotions are simply messengers, and anger is a valuable message. It lets us … Read more
