What the science of happiness says about the self and others | Aeon Essays

“If I wanted to predict your happiness, and I could know only one thing about you, I wouldn’t want to know your gender, religion, health, or income. I’d want to know about your social network—about your friends and family, and the strength of your bonds with them.”

The “other people” part is more important than you might realize. That’s because the brain is innately –⁠ that is, neurochemically –⁠ motivated to care for and connect to other people. When you have a purpose, you satiate that innate desire –⁠ and your brain rewards you for it. The reactivity decreases in various regions of the brain, like the amyg