MY INTERVIEW WITH Dr. Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology at Yale University
Q: All of my friends seem to be coping with quarantine differently, some better than others. It’s understandable to be struggling given that the world has flipped upside-down in a matter of weeks. Can you give teenagers some tips on how we can thwart hedonic adaptation and be more resilient during this tough time?
A: The key, I think, is to make sure you're engaging in activities that improve your well-being. Taking time to be social (virtually), prioritizing exercise and sleep, and even focusing on how you can do good things for others. These practices boost well-being generally and can be especially helpful during this time.
Q: This is a tough time for everyone. High schoolers are missing so many milestones - events that we’ve been looking forward to since freshman year e.g., prom, graduation, even just senior spring. What is your advice on how to best deal with that disappointment?
A: First, just validating this— it really awful, and students need to take time to grieve these losses. But there's evidence that we can take some control during times of grief through the use of a simple ritual (see https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/the-power-of-rituals-in-life-death-and-business). So find a way with friends to come up with a ceremony to mourn your loss. It will help you feel better and feel more back in control.
Q: Do you think gratitude, if/how people are expressing it during quarantine, might affect one’s experience during this stressful time?
A: There's lots of evidence that gratitude can boost well-being, and allow you to experience resilience in a tough situation. So my advice would be to find ways to count your blessings, even small ones, to harness this gratitude wellbeing boost.
Q: We have a lot of time in our hands that we didn’t have prior to this pandemic. My family has been trying to create positive experiences in the household (game nights, movie nights, family pilates, etc.) to try and lift everyone’s spirits. Is there anything in particular that you have been doing, alone or with your family, to maintain a positive, happy mindset?
A: Well, take my class and listen to my podcast. But more seriously, all the tips I list above are ways to spend time that promote well-being. Social events with family members, new exercise classes, etc— all of those can lift our spirits and help well-being.
Q: What are you currently researching? Has Covid-19 catalyzed any new initiatives?
A: We're currently testing whether our class and the rewirements still help well-being during this time. No results to share yet.
Q: What’s a book you’ve read recently that opened your mind to new concepts around psychology or something else?
A: My favorite recent book The Stoic Challenge by Bill Irvine. It’s the perfect call to arms for a tough time like we’re experiencing, but it gives you hope that a stoic outlook on life can help.