Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it’s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. In today’s episode, Dr. Laurie Santos — renowned psychologist, happiness expert, and host of The Happiness Lab — shares insights on how midlife women can thrive. She breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we’re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

World Happiness Report

University of Michigan’s Healthy Minds Study

Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries

A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren’t

Signature Strengths Test

RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it&rsquo;s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. In today&rsquo;s episode, Dr. Laurie Santos &mdash; renowned psychologist, happiness expert, and host of The Happiness Lab &mdash; shares insights on how midlife women can thrive. She breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we&rsquo;re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout. 
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2024/">World Happiness Report</a>
<a href="https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2024-2025_HMS-National-Data-Report_Student.pdf">University of Michigan&rsquo;s Healthy Minds Study</a>
<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00148-020-00797-z">Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/well/mind/happiness-flourishing-young-adult-study.html">A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren&rsquo;t</a>
<a href="https://www.viacharacter.org/account/register">Signature Strengths Test</a>
<a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/rain/">RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture</a>
<a href="https://www.drlauriesantos.com/happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos-podcast">The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2e583987-7340-43f0-a3d1-b3bc01450265/transcript

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