parenting and happiness

happiness two things that don't always go hand in hand but for anyone listening who might not be enjoying parenting right now, that's okay. And there is hope. I'm Dr. Becky and this is good inside.

My guest today is Arthur Brooks. He's a social scientist, author, and Harvard professor who blends

behavioral science and neuroscience research with philosophy and wisdom traditions to teach people

how to live better, happier lives. And his ideas around happiness are probably

going to be surprising. Today we're going to talk about how all parents can figure out their happiness equation and bring more

happiness into their lives.

Let's start with you.

Are you a happy person? How do you think about that for yourself?

Yeah, I mean, the answer is no. Not naturally, and that's why I study happiness.

You don't do research in social science, you do me search. If you have the tools

to understand human behavior, you look for the answers of the questions that you have. I realize

that's egotistical, but it's human nature nonetheless.

You know I grew up in a family that had some issues you know I mean that's I had a great

childhood and wonderful parents but they were pretty gloomy And we know from studies of identical twins that about 50% of your baseline mood or affect level

is genetic.

So you know, I don't have great genes for happiness and I grew up as kind of you

know with I was a little blue maybe a little melancholic and and when I became a social scientist

I said you know I wonder if it's possible not just to observe behaviors, but to change life with this science.

And I've dedicated myself to doing just that, I can tell you Becky it works it works

meaning you can be someone who says I'm maybe even I know I'm predisposed to

some you know depression or to not the happiest of genes and through learning

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