This Extremely Common Behavior Is Damaging Your Happiness According to a Harvard Professor
In an era dominated by the constant search for immediate pleasures, happiness sometimes seems to elude us. For Arthur C. Brooks, expert in positive psychology interviewed by the media Todaythis frantic quest takes us away from what really matters.
According to him, happiness is not a simple passing state, but a direction to follow, and to achieve it, we must first face an uncomfortable reality: our daily distractions, and particularly our addiction to screens, prevent us from to achieve deep and lasting happiness.
The illusion of distractions
Arthur C. Brooks deconstructs a widely held idea: happiness is synonymous with immediate pleasure. In reality, constantly seeking to “feel good” through distractions, such as social networks, series or even professional hyperactivity, can block our progress towards true fulfillment. These behaviors often serve to mask inner discomfort, distracting us from essential questions like: “What is the meaning of my life?” or “Why am I here?”.
According to Brooks, these questions do not require specific answers, but they promote a deeper understanding of oneself. However, by trying to fill every moment of our daily lives, we lose the opportunity to explore these existential reflections, which are essential for moving in the right direction.
Give boredom back its place
“The best way to not progress in your quest for meaning is to look at your phonee,” says Brooks. It is not a question of banishing screens, but of finding moments of emptiness, where the mind can wander freely. Boredom, often perceived as an unpleasant experience, is actually a gateway to creativity and introspection.
Brooks goes further to explain that we have been conditioned to think that any mental or emotional discomfort is a bad thing. Like the physical effort required to progress in the gym, moments of psychological discomfort are essential to growing spiritually and emotionally. Allowing ourselves to face these moments of emptiness and silence can be uncomfortable, but it is precisely what pushes us to reflect on ourselves and align our lives with what is truly meaningful.
How to bring boredom back into our lives
To reconnect with these moments of reflection, Brooks offers a simple but effective approach: give yourself time without distractions. Turning off your phone, avoiding constant stimulation, and allowing yourself to be alone with your thoughts are necessary steps to cultivating a clearer, more peaceful mind.
He also advises turning these empty moments into opportunities to ask questions about our values and priorities. “Take the time, sit in silence and start asking the right questions”, he recommends. This practice, although difficult at first, can open the way to a life more aligned with our deepest aspirations.