The Three Macronutrients of Happiness

Good morning - Welcome back to Wellness Unbound.

Today, we’re discussing happiness.

Arthur Brooks, a social scientist & professor at Harvard Business School, just co-wrote a book with Oprah, titled “Build the Life You Want, The Art and Science of Getting Happier.”

Several of my favorite podcasts have recently interviewed Brooks, so today we’ll dive into the concepts he shares in those episodes.

Most notably, he describes Three “Macronutrients” of Happiness.

Before diving in, it’s important to highlight a distinction that Brooks makes about happiness.

In this interview with Rich Roll, he says, “Happiness is a direction, not a destination.”

It’s not a goal nor a feeling.

Rather, it’s a skill that can be developed over time through action.

May of these actions are free & accessible to all of us, it’s just a matter of knowledge— identifying what the inputs or “Macronutrients” are.

According to Brooks, the three components of happiness are Enjoyment, Satisfaction, and Meaning,

Macronutrient #1 - Enjoyment

As a math guy, I love a good formula.

And the formula for enjoyment that Brooks presents is quite compelling.

Enjoyment = Pleasure + Communing with Others + Conscious Awareness

Pleasure, of course, is a sensation we all know & love. The things that feel good.

But if we only pursue what feels good, we’re in trouble.

The pursuit of pleasure alone leads to addiction, not happiness.

We can observe this association when examining the relationships between social media & happiness. While social media offers moments of pleasure, it often fails to deliver connection, awareness, and thus legitimate happiness.

In fact, it can often have the opposite effect, as illustrated in the graph below.

It’s clear more internet hours led to less sleep, social interaction & happiness in this study.

Yet here’s the interesting thing - there’s a force that transforms pleasure into enjoyment: Connection with other people.

Consider the most memorable meals in your life.

Chances are, they involved sharing food with others, not solitary indulgences.

I would bet that those meals were also linked to celebrations - perhaps a birthday, holiday, anniversary, or graduation.

That’s the third component of Brook’s equation for enjoyment - conscious awareness. It’s about engaging in novel, memory-creating, activities and being present while doing so.

When we blend pleasure with connection and staying fully engaged, creating memorable moments, we unlock the secret to genuine enjoyment.

Macronutrient #2 - Satisfaction

Satisfaction is the reward you get for hard work. It’s the joy that follows the struggle.

Personally, exercise is a source of satisfaction for me.

Few things compare to the rush of stopping my Garmin after a long run or conquering the final set in a challenging workout.

But imagine if I half-assed the whole thing. Or worse, took a shortcut.

Do you think I’d feel as good about it? Hint… definitely not.

That’s because the payoff is directly related to the effort.

This principle extends well beyond exercise. Think about studying for an exam, taking on a demanding project, or winning a nail-biting game.

If we take the easy way out, the results are far less meaningful.

Furthermore, when we consider the pursuit of satisfaction, we can simplify it into another formula proposed by Brooks:

Satisfaction = Haves / Wants

Obviously, you can increase your satisfaction by having more or better things.

But is that sustainable? What happens when you finally get the new car, house, job title, or relationship?

In a matter of weeks, you find yourself riding the hedonic treadmill right back to your baseline level of happiness.

The Hedonic Treadmill theory implies that while external circumstances can momentarily influence your happiness, you eventually adapt to these changes, and your overall happiness level returns to its baseline.

That’s why it’s far more effective to reduce your desires.

This philosophy is echoed in both the age-old concept of Detachment, as well as the comeback-concept of the 2020s: Minimalism.

Detachment suggests that reducing our attachment to material possessions & external desires can helps us find contentment in simplicity, while Minimalism encourages us to declutter our lives.

Ultimately, the pursuit of satisfaction is not about accumulating more, but about desiring less.

By stepping off the Hedonic Treadmill and cultivating a balanced relationship with desire, we can discover a deeper & more sustainable sense of satisfaction.

Macronutrient #3 - Meaning

The age-old question, “What is the meaning of life?” has intrigued humanity for millennia.

While answers definitely vary, Brooks explains three central components that contribute to meaning in one’s life.

• Coherence: This element deals with understanding why things happen – discerning the threads that connect events and experiences in our lives. It grants us a sense of order and comprehension in a seemingly chaotic world.

• Purpose: Purpose provides direction in life, offering clear objectives to strive towards. It answers the fundamental question of why we are alive.

• Significance: Significance implies that there's a reason behind things – that our actions & existence hold weight beyond their immediate impact.

These three components intersect and intertwine, weaving a tapestry of meaning in our lives.

While the quest for meaning remains a deeply personal and philosophical journey, acknowledging these elements can guide us towards a more fulfilling and purpose-driven existence.

Two questions that Brooks poses to guide the pursuit of meaning are:

• "For what are you alive?”

• “For what are you willing to die?"

While I’m still uncovering my answers to Brooks’ two questions above, I believe that we’re here, collectively, to learn, evolve, enjoy, and contribute to something greater than ourselves.

How do you create meaning in your life?

My Favorite Healthy Ice Cream

After 5+ years of knowing that dairy and my gut don’t get along, I’ve tried nearly every non-dairy ice cream out there..

Halo Top, So Delicious, Oatly, and so many more are all fine options… but let’s be honest… they taste nothing like the real stuff.

Then I found Cado and everything changed.

Made with avocados, Cado tastes better than any dairy-free option I’ve had.

Plus, it comes with a clean ingredient list & solid macronutrient profile, shown below.

Their Deep Dark Chocolate Flavor is my favorite and can be found at many healthy grocery stores, such Whole Foods & more.

Podcasts of the Week:

If you’re interested in learning more about these happiness concepts, check out these interviews featuring Arthur Brooks.

Thank you for reading.

I hope you have an awesome Autumn Equinox weekend ahead.

Much love,

Aidan