Happiness Defined and Practiced

Dr. Louise Lambert

Welcome everyone to my new podcast series, Happiness Matters, a positive psychology informed series on happier living. Now, many of you already know me. I'm Dr. Louise Lambert, a positive psychologist living in Dubai. What you may find strange though is my voice. Yes, I've moved to AI and I'm using it to do this series. But, rest assured, it is me behind the voice writing the scripts, pulling up the studies, finding the appropriate references and editing intensely to bring you the best experience. It's also to save time recording in order to do my best work with individuals and organizations directly. So, I hope you'll engage with the ideas and strategies and create your best life going forward. Shall we get started?

Dr. Louise Lambert

OK, let's kick things off with a question that sounds simple yet is anything but: What is happiness? And no, it’s not just puppies, rainbows, or that little rush you might feel when you score a great parking spot. In the world of positive psychology, happiness means so much more than just feeling good. It’s about living a life of meaning, experiencing joy and curiosity, sure, but also love, gratitude, and even contentment and peace. It’s about building resilience, finding purpose, and knowing that what you do matters in the bigger picture.

Dr. Louise Lambert

Now, a lot of people also think happiness is some silly, fluffy state of being—smiling, laughing, easy-breezy vibes. Other people think it is even ridiculous, naive, a waste of time, particularly when pessimism and cynicism are much easier and honestly, on some days, better suited to the current economic, environmental and geopolitical climate. But resist going down that path, these accomplish nothing. Instead, happiness is deeply connected with being a good person and living a good life. It’s about engagement, moral character, persistence, optimism, and contributing to the world around you. Feeling good is great, but doing good? That’s where lasting happiness comes from.

Dr. Louise Lambert

Let me share a little personal insight. You all might know I’ve lived in Dubai for the better part of two decades. And let me tell you, building happiness in my own life hasn’t been about always feeling 'up' or avoiding hardship. It’s been about leaning into purpose—cultivating relationships, pursuing work I’m passionate about, as much as finding joy in the small, everyday moments, and playing a little bit of tennis too. Those days when everything clicks? That’s not just luck. It’s the result of a life lived with intention and careful planning. Happiness takes some work after all.

Dr. Louise Lambert

So, when we talk about defining happiness, it’s about zooming out. It’s not just the highs, but the whole spectrum—the things you do and the person you become along the way. And that’s what makes this topic so compelling. Why focus on fleeting pleasure when you can aim for something richer, deeper, and enduring?

Dr. Louise Lambert

So, here’s a question for you: What if happiness isn’t the result of success, but the cause? I know, it flips the whole narrative we’ve been told, but hang on because I’ve got the science to back this up. Studies show that happy people—those who regularly feel positive emotions like joy, contentment, or gratitude—are more likely to succeed in key areas of life like career, relationships, and even health. And it’s not just correlations we’re talking about here; there’s actual evidence that happiness leads the way.

Dr. Louise Lambert

Let’s take the workplace as an example. Research finds that happier employees don’t just get better job evaluations. No, they’re actually earning more, staying healthier, and even landing promotions faster than their less happy peers. Why? Because those positive emotions fuel important behaviors—goal-setting, persistence, teamwork—you name it. Positivity isn’t fluff, folks. It’s a power tool for navigating life effectively.

Dr. Louise Lambert

And it gets even better when you look at the experiments. Imagine walking into a study feeling happy and immediately having a better day—as if by magic, right? Well, it’s not magic, it’s science! Positive emotions have been shown to boost creativity and problem-solving, and they make us more cooperative in social settings. So when you’re feeling good, it’s like a natural domino effect—things just start clicking into place. Goals seem more achievable, relationships grow stronger, and even those challenging tasks suddenly feel manageable.

Dr. Louise Lambert

It’s like positivity is this secret hack—a little boost that helps you tackle life from a place of strength and optimism. And let’s not forget the health benefits. Studies show happier people tend to live longer and healthier lives. In fact, some studies show it's between 6 and 11 years longer. That's not small. They are also more likely to exercise, eat well, sleep more, and not smoke. Happier people are also less likely to develop chronic illnesses and even recover faster from stress and setbacks. It doesn't mean they never get ill, but it does stack the deck in their favor.

Dr. Louise Lambert

But here’s something I really want you to take away. Happiness isn’t just a "nice to have" after you've hit your goals. It’s the foundation. The driver. It is the fuel which allows you to have a good life. So before you chase success, make sure you’re making space for those small, joyful moments that fuel everything else. Life’s too short to delay your happiness. It's not the reward of a good life, it's the path to a good life.

Dr. Louise Lambert

Alright, so we’ve talked about what happiness is and how it plays a leading role in a successful life. Now it’s time to get practical. If you’re thinking, "Okay, Louise, this all sounds great, but how do I actually bring more happiness into my day-to-day life?"—don’t worry, I’ve got you covered in upcoming podcasts. But for now, let’s dig into a few research-backed strategies that are simple, effective, and, honestly, kinda fun to try out.

Dr. Louise Lambert

First up, let’s talk about acts of kindness. You know that warm feeling you get when you do something thoughtful for someone? Like holding the door open, complimenting a coworker, or picking up coffee for a friend? That’s no coincidence. Research shows that acts of kindness don’t just make the other person’s day—they boost your happiness too. In fact, you get the biggest boost from doing good deeds. So maybe today, think about one tiny thing you can do for someone else. It really is the little things that add up. It is even more powerful when you are kind to a stranger and develop a short mini-connection even if its just for a few seconds.

Dr. Louise Lambert

Another golden strategy—appreciation. You might do it now and again, but have you ever turned it into a habit? Here’s how: Think of two people in your life who you'd be lost without, or whom you simply appreciate as people. It could be for their support, humor, willingness to always say yes to your ridiculous ideas, or reliability. it doesn't matter what it is. Now, write them a letter, leave a voice note, or send a text sharing what you appreciate about them with them. You can even recount an actual event or time when their qualities stood out and remind them of that moment in time. Just make it real and speak the truth.

Dr. Louise Lambert

And here’s one of my personal favorites—what I like to call my "joy list." It’s a simple list of things that spark even the tiniest bits of happiness for me. Singing in the car with my favorite radio station, having my first morning cup of coffee in bed, catching up with friends, reading The Economist over breakfast; reading from paper is such a treat. These are my go-to activities I know are guaranteed to feel good. Most I know by memory, but I do keep the list handy so that when life gets busy and overwhelming, I have a reminder of what gives me a boost. Try making your own list. You’d be amazed how a quick activity from your list can shift your whole day and remind you that simple things, like taking a walk outside, are available to you and easy to do.

Dr. Louise Lambert

What’s great about these practices is that they aren’t just good for you—they ripple outwards. When you’re happier, you naturally show up as your best self for the people around you. And that’s how these small steps create big transformations, both for you and your community.

Dr. Louise Lambert

So as we wrap up today, here’s my challenge to you: Pick just one strategy we talked about and give it a try. Add that little spark to your routines and see where it takes you. Remember, this journey is about creating a life that’s meaningful, joyful, and deeply fulfilling—not just for a moment, but for the long haul.

Dr. Louise Lambert

And that’s a wrap for today’s episode of "Because Happiness Matters." Thank you for joining me—whether you’re here starting fresh, maintaining your well-being, or just curious about unlocking more happiness in your life, I’m so glad you’re part of this journey. Let’s keep redefining what it means to live meaningfully. Until next time, take care of your happiness—it matters.