Laurie Santos: The Pursuit of Happiness

But part of happiness really is about being present. Um, you know, there's so much evidence that when we're mind wandering, when we're not fully present, that that's a time when we're also not very happy. It's one of the reasons that techniques like meditation, which are primarily techniques for, you know, you know, intentionally paying attention to the present moment, often with a certain kind of attitude, like a nonjudgment kind of attitude. Those kinds of practices make us happier in part'cause the nonjudgment, but in part just'cause like We're there, we're present, we're paying attention to life and just the act of paying attention, even if it doesn't feel good, like even if you're kinda pay attention to something boring, like that presence can wind up improving our well being over time. So finding ways to control the things that are stealing our attention and preventing us from being present can be really good ways to boost our our happiness overall. Welcome to the Knowledge Project.

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