Health security

 

3 Tips for Staying Positive During Times of Uncertainty, According to Yale’s Happiness Professor

The fate of the presidential election now hangs on slow-counting swing states (and the freedom to actually count the votes), but regardless of the outcome, the fact that the race is such a close call period highlights just how much work remains for cultivating a society not steeped in white supremacy, patriarchy, and bigotry. To be sure, the road ahead is a long one, and endurance to stay the path is necessary. That’s why staying positive during times of uncertainty is important to know how to do—especially when “uncertain times” seem to go on forever. For cognitive scientist Laurie Santos, PhD, host of The Happiness Lab podcast and professor of Yale’s viral happiness course, “The Science of Wellbeing,” the key is being able to identify and honor the things we can control. 

“At this stage of the election, most of us can’t control the final outcome, but we can control how we react,” says Dr. Santos. “Do we do a hard workout or drink two bottles of wine? Do we stress out at our kids or take a few deep breaths? While it doesn’t always feel like it, we always have the option of controlling our own mindset and our own behaviors.”