S5E7 - A One-Month Test to be Happy

This week, McKay introduces a practical and powerful challenge: the one-month happiness test. Drawing inspiration from Laurie Santos's famous Yale course, "Psychology and the Good Life," this episode moves beyond big, life-altering events to focus on the small, consistent actions that are scientifically proven to boost happiness.

McKay breaks down simple yet profound practices like savoring positive moments, actively choosing your focus through selective attention, expressing gratitude, performing acts of kindness, and strengthening social connections. Through relatable stories and real-world examples, he illustrates how these "micro-adjustments" can retrain our brains, counteracting our natural negativity bias and leading to a more joyful, fulfilling life. Listeners are invited to take the test for themselves and discover how intentional, daily habits can create lasting change.

Main Themes:

• Happiness comes from small, consistent changes, not just big life events.
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• You can retrain your brain to focus on the positive through selective attention.
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• Savoring positive experiences - before, during, and after - deepens their impact.
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• Practicing gratitude is a powerful choice that turns what you have into enough.
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• Acts of kindness boost happiness for both the giver and the receiver.
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• Strong social connections are a primary predictor of a long, happy life.
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• Exercise and sleep are foundational pillars for mental well-being and happiness.
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• You can become the author of your life by choosing what to focus on and practice.
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• What you notice becomes your reality.
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• A one-month test is long enough to implement new habits and see real results.

Top 10 Quotes:

"The strange truth is... most people return to their baseline level of happiness after these major life events. This phenomenon is called the hedonic treadmill."

"Tiny, regular changes to your daily life often make a bigger, longer-lasting difference than these big things."

"Your brain is built to scan for problems... but you can change what you focus on, and it will help you be more happy."

"Savoring is the deliberate, post-activity act of looking back on what you've done and taking time to appreciate it."

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."

"Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what kept people happy throughout their lives."

"These examples aren't miracles; they're micro-adjustments in their lives."

"You get to choose what you'll focus on. So this month, to test your happiness, focus on the good."

"Kind service has this magic feel to it."

Show Links:

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen