Happiness

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

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Renaissance painting of a man with curly hair wearing a dark hat and clothing against a dark background.

Emotion regulation

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Asking one simple question can entirely change how you feel

Positive and negative emotions respond differently to ‘affect labelling’ – the act of giving a name to your feelings

by Christian Waugh

Photo of a smiling person in vibrant attire and a large blue head wrap against a dark background.

Neuroscience

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The fascinating science of pleasure goes way beyond dopamine

Pleasure and happiness are too important for our mental health to be reduced to the single brain chemical dopamine

by Dean Burnett

A candid photo of three smiling children slightly out of focus, showing joy and togetherness against a dark backdrop.

Laughter and comedy

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How to laugh more

You don’t have to wait to be amused, there are ways to train yourself to enjoy the ‘cheap medicine’ of laughter every day

by Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky

A naked young woman walking on a rippled sandy beach towards the sea, clear blue water and distant islands in view.

Freedom and choice

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For Lucy, surviving on a remote island was hard, but returning was harder

Directed by Jesper Wachtmeister

Photo of a smiling person taking a selfie indoors, wearing a blue and yellow jumper, with plants and a clock in the background.

Emotions

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What makes ‘toxic positivity’ different from a healthy attitude

Influencers and self-help gurus are preaching a form of positive psychology that risks doing more harm than good

by Lucas Dixon

Photo of two people in pink bunny costumes with carrot designs, holding drinks and standing by a tiled wall under a sign.

Personality

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To improve your life, consider changing your personality

New research supports the idea that intentionally developing certain traits is not only possible, but comes with benefits

by Christian Jarrett

Photo of a person in an elephant costume standing in a tiled indoor area near a mini cab office with signs and posters.

Meaning and the good life

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How to be a happy nihilist

Exhausted by the modern pressure to squeeze meaning out of every moment? Here’s a radical way to reset your priorities

by Wendy Syfret

Animation of a girl in a red cap sitting in a tree, with a fox below and vibrant plants and mushrooms surrounding them.

Happiness

film

Martha’s adventures through the washing machine looking-glass

Directed by Hannah Jacobs

Photo of a family holding hands walking on a beach with a golden retriever in the foreground and ocean waves in the background.

Happiness

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As a psychiatrist, I’ve seen how chasing happiness leads to misery

My clinical work has shown me that happiness is a ghost that’s not worth pursuing – there are far wiser goals in life

by Rafa Euba

Photo of a person sitting and holding a large map covering their face outdoors with people walking in the background.

Thinking and intelligence

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A love for thinking brings benefits way beyond school and work

Having a passion for mental effort – a trait that’s distinct from being intelligent – has some wide-ranging upsides

by Josephine Zerna

Person roller-skating by the seaside, wearing protective gear and balancing on one foot, with a balustrade, palm tree, and sunny sky in the background.

Happiness

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There’s transcendence in skating – just ask the man they call ‘Slomo’

Directed by Josh Izenberg