Dr. Laurie Santos on Happiness Across Cultures | Huberman
The Cultural Geography of Happiness
Do we have a happiness set point? And if we do, where does it come from? While research on happiness setpoints isn't conclusive, we know that place shapes our tendencies toward happiness in profound ways. Just look at the World Happiness Report - the United States, despite its wealth, consistently ranks low compared to other developed nations. Meanwhile, Scandinavian countries like Denmark regularly top the charts.
The Danish Secret
What makes the Danes so consistently happy? It's not genetics - it's their cultural practices. They prioritize social connection through shorter work hours and robust community engagement. When Danes work, they work with intense focus and proficiency. But there's a strict separation between work and life - managers will actually reprimand employees for staying late, viewing it as a sign of poor time management.
The Danes also embrace "hygge" - finding joy in life's small moments, like the warmth of coffee or the glow of candles. This focus on presence and appreciation runs counter to the American obsession with achievement and status.
The American Dream's Dark Side
In America, we celebrate overnight success stories and radical transformations. From SpaceX landing rockets to viral social media stars, these narratives shape our conception of what's possible. But they also create unrealistic expectations and anxiety about not being "ambitious" enough.
This contrasts sharply with Danish culture, where ambition is almost a dirty word. Their concept of Jante's Law discourages putting yourself above others or showing off. Cultural perspectives on well-being deeply influence how we pursue and experience happiness.
The Journey Mindset
Americans often fall prey to the "arrival fallacy" - the belief that achieving some goal will bring lasting happiness. But due to hedonic adaptation, even major accomplishments quickly become the new normal. The key is developing a journey mindset - finding joy in the process rather than fixating on destinations.
Consider Michelle Kwan's reflection on the Olympics. Despite not winning gold, her fondest memory wasn't about medals - it was the simple joy of lacing up her skates and seeing the Olympic rings in the ice. That's the journey mindset in action. While it requires a profound shift in thinking, especially for achievement-oriented Americans, it may be the key to sustainable happiness.