The science of happiness – with Bruce Hood

From The Royal Institution.

Can neuroscience help rewire our thinking, and add more joy to our lives?

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We all seek happiness, but our minds often hinder us. In our mental mazes, we fixate on shortcomings, compare ourselves unfavourably to others, and overlook life’s positives.

In this discourse, renowned psychologist and former Christmas Lecturer Bruce Hood shifts focus from self-care to connection. Through seven transformative lessons grounded in neuroscience and developmental psychology, Bruce unveils a new narrative on well-being. From altering your ego to connecting with others, each lesson provides practical takeaways, empowering you to rewire your thinking.

Join Bruce for insights into happiness, breaking free from negative patterns, and transforming life through the science of well-being.

00:00 Teaching happiness to students
05:37 The science of happiness
07:42 What is happiness and why does it disappear?
13:15 What affects our happiness levels?
16:47 Alter your ego
25:59 Avoiding isolation
29:23 Reject negative comparisons
32:51 Become more optimistic
37:50 Control your attention
47:21 Connect with others
50:04 Get out of your own head
55:06 How to achieve happiness

Bruce Hood is an award-winning Professor of Developmental Psychology at Bristol University and the author of several books, including SuperSense, The Self Illusion, The Domesticated Brain and Possessed. His course, The Science of Happiness, is the most popular course at Bristol University. He has appeared extensively on TV and radio, including co-hosting the BBC podcast The Happiness Half Hour in 2021. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society.

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