How To Be Happy.

Research Fails To Tell You How To Be Happy, But This Idea Might Help

How far away is happiness?

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Scientists have studied how to be happy for decades, and a new report from the Wall Street Journal shares some troubling news: the vast majority of happiness studies are too poorly designed to offer any significant conclusions. Elizabeth Dunn, a professor who studies happiness at the University of British Columbia, scoured nearly 500 peer-reviewed papers with her fellow doctoral student, Dunigan Folk. Activities such as spending time in nature, meditating and exercising (typical answers for generating feelings of happiness) had either weak or inconclusive results. “The evidence just melts away when you actually look at it closely,” Dunn said, confirming a key misunderstanding around the real source of happiness. Why is science inconclusive on this most popular search topic (after all, more people google “how to be happy” than “how to be rich”). What is it that research can’t tell us about being happy?

Why We Don’t Know How to Be Happy

While practicing gratitude, working out or enjoying close personal relationships can be an apparent source of happiness, there are no guarantees that those actions (or any others) will make you happy. Have you ever seen someone crying on a beautiful mountainside, surrounded by unbelievable natural beauty? How about experiencing feelings of loneliness, in the middle of a family reunion - surrounded by loved ones? What happens when gratitude is elusive, regardless of the amount of money in your paycheck?

In a general survey of over 1,000 respondents, only 12% reported as being “very happy”. Here are the common traits for these ultra-happy people, followed by a quick dose of verbal truth serum (namely, the real reason that science and polls can’t help you to be happy).

The Very Happy Value Strong Relationships

67% of the turbo-happy group say that marriage is very important to them, for example. But fear not, single friends: happiness is not out of your grasp. You don’t need a partner to be happy. Don Draper said, on the television series Mad Men, that “[happiness is] a moment before you need more happiness.” Maybe being happy is a waiting game, not a dating game?

Being Happy Is Not a Function of Money

Many of the very happy report than community involvement is important. Yet, as a group, these über-happy people don’t attach high importance to money. Having projects - something to look forward to - can contribute to an overall sense of well-being. Status and esteem are important, according to psychologist Abraham Maslow. But circumstances are not necessarily a reflection of your mood.

Good Diet, Exercise and Career Achievement: Nice to Have, But Not Exactly What Makes You Happy

From an often-cited Harvard Study, which began in the years before World War II, researchers followed two different groups of people. First, a group of nearly 300 sophomores at the venerable institution of Harvard. The second group featured 456 14-year-old boys who were growing up in rough neighborhoods and in broken families. Observing these individuals for entire lifetimes, the survey concluded that diet, exercise and accomplishments are like cilantro: nice to have, but not necessary for happiness. On the days when men and women spent more time in the company of others, they were happier, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. Over and over again, the guinea pigs in the Harvard study shared, as they reached into their 70s and 80s, how relationships made a difference.

The opposite of happiness isn’t sadness. It’s loneliness. And while Canadian researchers express concerns over the validity of experiments on happiness, perhaps it’s time to run your own experiment - based on your own personal experience.

Humans are social animals. We work best in groups. Even the most introverted among us value strong relationships (just in the right doses). Today, connections and relationships might be what brings you happiness. On the other hand, those relationships might just be the source of your frustration. And being alone might be your happy place - not a source of loneliness at all! So what is it that we already know about happiness, that all of these surveys seem to ignore?

Happiness is a state of mind, according to the Harvard Business Review ...and the experience of all human beings, everywhere. That means happiness can occur in your home office, on a crowded airplane, at a concert or in the shower - literally anywhere in the world where your brain is on. Because wherever you go, there you are. Happiness can be influenced by your surroundings, or diet, or relationships, or gratitude - but never determined by those things. Have you ever made a lot of money, and felt unhappy? Have you ever been totally broke and experienced pure bliss? Actions, relationships and circumstances are not the source of happiness. A state of mind can only come from one place and one place only, and that is: inside your mind. Your thoughts and feelings may not always be a reflection of who or what is around you, or what you are doing. Can you be ok with that fact?

How to Experience Happiness: It’s Not a Mystery

As a coach to executive leaders, media personalities, politicians and entrepreneurs, there’s one thing I always share: if you really want to experience happiness, look to your own experience. Your own personal understanding of what makes you happy. While science and data is useful, you weren’t in the Harvard study from 1938, and you probably never worked with happiness researchers in British Columbia. But you already have the equipment to be happy. Just as you have the equipment for loneliness, joy, love, selfishness, gratitude, discouragement, hope and every other human emotion. Like opposable thumbs, the ability to be happy is part of our humanity (even when we don’t see it). Have you ever noticed that babies don’t need therapy?

If you really want to get closer to happiness, what happens if you start by being comfortable with... the human experience? All of it. Even the messy parts. What happens? The way you feel about Trevor in accounting is part of your unique human experience. Can gratitude be a part of your attitude? Whatever you’re going through it’s part of being alive. And if you’re in a rough patch, consider this coaching question for what you are facing: “What’s good about this?” Take that journey and see where it leads you.

If your feelings aren’t an error that needs to be corrected, or a challenge that must be figured out...what happens? What internal influences can you discover, to really adjust your state of mind? You don’t need to be happy in every moment, that’s impossible. Why would you expect a happy state of mind 100% of the time? Maybe making it OK to be unhappy is the first step towards discovering a new possibility. Perhaps getting comfortable with whatever it is you’re feeling is an experiment you can run on your own - but only if it makes you happy.

02

The science of health and wellbeing: diet, exercise, sleep and how to be happy

Join us at our brand-new masterclasses and learn how to take an evidence-based approach to your health and wellbeing. Our team of experts will help you cut through the myths and sensational headlines with the latest research and helpful advice around personalised nutrition, exercise, the new obesity drugs, sleep, your immune system and how to be happier.

The morning session will focus on diet and exercise and the afternoon on how to live better and improve your wellbeing. Join us for one session or the whole day and start your journey towards a healthier you.

Topics covered will include:

Morning session: diet and exercise

Personalised nutrition

Can exercise compensate for a bad diet?

New weight loss medicine

Afternoon session: wellbeing

Optimising sleep

Your immune system

How to be happier

Morning session: Diet and exercise, talks and speakers:

Personalised nutrition

Kate Bermingham, Research Associate, King's College London

Why can two people can eat the same food and have completely different reactions? Kate Bermingham will reveal the cutting-edge science that’s helping us understand our individual relationship with food. She will explore the three key factors that shape our response to food: who we are, what we eat, and when we eat. And we’ll see how our individual microbiomes play a crucial role in all of this. We’re living in an exciting time where new technologies, citizen science, and AI are coming together to revolutionise nutrition research. This research is at the forefront of personalised nutrition, helping us optimise our diets and our health.

Can you outrun a bad diet?

Dylan Thompson, Professor of Human Physiology, University of Bath

What is the role of exercise in keeping us healthy? Is it possible to eat a ‘poor’ diet, with excess calories but offset it by increasing your amount of physical exercise? How important is physical activity for energy balance? In this talk, Dylan will explore the relationship between exercise, energy balance and health - drawing on data from human exercise intervention Randomised Controlled Trials, short-term overfeeding studies, and long term bed rest studies conducted in partnership with the European Space Agency.

New obesity drugs- what's the evidence?

Simon Cork, Senior Lecturer in Physiology, Anglia Ruskin University

Semaglutide (also known by brand names such as Wegovy and Ozempic) is a drug that was developed to treat type 2 diabetes that has recently been approved to treat obesity. Results have been dramatic, showing a 15 per cent reduction in body weight over a year, when combined with exercise and eating healthily. In this talk we’ll explore how this medication works, what side effects it has and if it is really the solution to the obesity epidemic.

Afternoon session: Wellbeing, talks and speakers:

Optimising Sleep: Unravelling the neuroscience and enhancing sleep habits

Nicola Barclay, Sleep Scientist, Sleep Universal Limited

Nicola Barclay will delve into the fascinating world of sleep, exploring its intricate neuroscience, the importance of sufficient sleep, common sleep problems, and evidence-based strategies to improve sleep quality. By combining research-based findings with therapeutic techniques, she will provide practical insights for optimising sleep and its impact on overall well-being.

Your immune system – Can it be "boosted"? If not, why not?

Al Edwards, Associate Professor in Biomedical Technology, University of Reading / Southampton

Advertisements are full of claims for ‘Immune Boosting’ products, but is there any evidence that we can strengthen our body’s most fascinating system? We do know that vaccines work very well to improve immunity, but at the same time scientists find it hard to measure the general status of our immune system. Join Al Edwards to discover the truth about immunity.

How to be happy: all you need is stoicism?

Tim Lebon, Accredited psychotherapist and author

Did the Stoics in ancient Greece discover the psychology of a happy life over 2,000 years ago, and how are their teachings similar to modern approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy? Drawing on research on Stoicism and ideas from his latest book, 365 Ways to be More Stoic, NHS CBT psychotherapist Tim LeBon will describe the 3 pillars of Modern Stoicism and how they can contribute to resilience and flourishing.

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in health and wellbeing, whatever your age or background. Whether you're a scientist, a student or simply a fascinated human being, The Science of Health and Wellbeing offers the chance to learn directly from the experts.

Benefits of attending:

Learn from scientists working at the forefront of their field.

Informal set-up, meet like-minded people.

Open your mind, be inspired.

Unique chance to ask your burning questions to our experts.

What's included in your ticket:

In-depth and engaging talks from six leading scientists.

Hosted Q+As with the speakers at the end of each session.

Your chance to meet our speakers and New Scientist host.

Exclusive on-the-day New Scientist subscription deal, book and merchandise offers.

Related events

Booking information:

The event will be held at the Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, W1G 9DT.

Doors will open at 9:30am, with talks commencing at 10am sharp. The event will finish at 5pm.

We require the name of each person attending - please ensure this is provided at the time of booking. If you need to change the name of an attendee, please notify us as soon as possible: [email protected]

Eventbrite will email you your ticket(s) immediately after purchase. Please remember to bring your ticket(s) with you as you'll need it to gain entry. We can scan tickets from a printout, or off the screen of a phone / tablet / smartwatch.

The schedule / exact running order for each session will be confirmed closer to the event and will be emailed to all ticket holders.

Lunch will NOT be provided at this event. Visitors attending all day are welcome to bring their own food, or purchase lunch at one of the many establishments around Red Lion Square and the surrounding area.

Should you require details about disabled access, please contact us at: [email protected]

Tickets are non-transferable to any other New Scientist event.

All tickets are non-refundable.

New Scientist reserves the right to alter the event and its line-up or cancel the event. In the unlikely event of cancellation, all tickets will be fully refunded. New Scientist Ltd will not be liable for any additional expenses incurred by ticket holders in relation to the event.

Tickets are subject to availability and are only available in advance through Eventbrite.

03

7 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Happy and Healthy All Summer Long

You have no doubt heard about the importance of sunscreen -- but did you know that taking care of your eyes in the heat is just as important as protecting your skin?

According to the World Health Organization, there are 15 million people in the world who are blind from cataracts, and for up to 10% of these individuals, the cause of their condition may have been exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to prevent the sun from damaging your eyes. Keep reading to learn how to protect your eyes against the elements this summer. For more eye care tips, check out the best places to buy glasses and contact lenses online.

From wearing sunglasses to following a balanced diet, there are plenty of ways to protect your eyes in the heat. Here are some science-backed tips for summer eye care.

Wear sunglasses

One of the easiest -- and most stylish -- ways to take care of your eyes is by wearing sunglasses during the day. When your eyes aren't protected in the sun, they're exposed to multiple types of UV rays, which can increase your risk of certain diseases, including photokeratitis and cataracts.

Westend61/Getty Images

Consider polarized lenses

Polarized lenses are designed with a special chemical that filters more light than other sunglasses. They also reduce glare from reflective surfaces, like water and snow, so they're a good option if you spend a lot of time outside.

Choose the right lens color

While it may seem like darker lenses would provide more protection from UV rays, the opposite is true. Extremely dark lenses force your pupils to open wider, allowing more sunlight into your eyes. Instead of dark lenses, opt for gray or smoke-colored lenses to get the most sun protection.

Keep your eyes hydrated

During summer, your eyes can dry out quickly, particularly if you live in a dry climate, sit in air-conditioned spaces regularly or spend lots of time in swimming pools. Dehydrated eyes can have uncomfortable consequences, causing burning, irritation and light sensitivity, which may get worse if you wear contact lenses.

Avoid alcohol

Drinking alcohol can also dry out your eyes, so reducing your booze intake may help keep your eyes more lubricated and stave off dehydration.

Read more: Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Use eye drops if your eyes are dry

If you have a moderate case of dry eyes, you may find some relief from over-the-counter eye drops. But if the irritation continues, talk to your doctor about getting prescription-strength drops.

Eat a well-balanced diet

Following a nutritious diet can have benefits for your eye health as well. Specifically, you'll want to aim for a well-balanced meal plan that includes a variety of antioxidant-rich foods that support eye health.

For example, vitamin C may help lower your risk of developing cataracts. Good sources of this vitamin include raw bell peppers, oranges and carrots. Similarly, vitamin E protects your eyes from free radicals, which can damage and break down the tissue in your eyes. You can find vitamin E in seeds, nuts and sweet potatoes. Finally, vitamin A also supports proper eye function and is found in foods like leafy greens and orange vegetables.

In contrast, there are also foods that aren't great for your eye health. Sugary drinks and fried foods, for instance, can raise your risk of diabetes and, later, diabetic retinopathy.

Limit screen time

Staring at a laptop or phone screen for too long can irritate your eyes and lead to a condition called eye strain. Common symptoms of eye strain include headaches, light sensitivity, itchy eyes and blurred vision.

Unfortunately, depending on your job, avoiding screen time may not be realistic. However, there are some eye care tactics you can use to limit the effect that digital screens have on your eyes. Notably, the American Optometric Association recommends following the 20-20-20 rule while you're using electronic screens. This means taking a 20-second break from all screens at least once every 20 minutes to look at an object that's 20 feet away.

Other strategies to protect your eyes from digital screens include lowering the brightness on your devices, switching to dark mode and wearing blue-light-blocking glasses.

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty ImagesAvoid looking directly at the sun

Staring at the sun for too long isn't just uncomfortable -- it can cause serious, and sometimes permanent, damage to your eyes. When the sun's UV rays enter your eyes, they can form free radicals and harm your retinas, potentially causing a condition known as solar or photic retinopathy.

Milder symptoms of solar retinopathy can range from watery eyes to eye discomfort to headache. If your case is more severe, you may experience blurred vision or blind spots. For some people, these effects are irreversible. If you've noticed that your vision has worsened after viewing an eclipse or looking at the sun, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Protect your eyes while outside or playing sports

Aside from wearing sunglasses, there are other effective ways to protect your eyes while you're spending time outside.

For example, if you're gardening or hiking, you can wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor to keep your eyes covered. If you're headed to the beach or pool, grab a pair of goggles to protect your eyes from the water, salt and chlorine and ward off swimmer's eye. Similarly, if you're playing sports, make sure to put on protective glasses to lower your risk of eye injury.

No matter what you're doing, you should also wear sunscreen on your face to prevent burns on your eyelids or the sensitive skin around your eyes.

Get quality sleep

If you've ever woken up from a poor night's sleep with dry and itchy eyes, you've experienced how a lack of quality sleep can impact your eye health, and science backs that up. In one study, researchers found a correlation between low-quality sleep and dry eye disease, noting that subpar sleep quality can aggravate the effects of DED.

Read more: Poor Sleep? Try These Easy Tricks

When you're tired, you're also more likely to rub your eyes, which could lead to eye damage or an infection. Separately, not getting enough sleep has been linked to other irritating but non-serious health issues, including myokymia (eye twitching), bloodshot eyes and puffiness and under-eye bags.