Show Notes
After a summer of heatwaves and wildfires, thinking about the climate can be downright depressing. But what if the choices that make us happier could also help save the planet?
In this episode, Garvia speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, a University of British Columbia psychology professor, happiness researcher, and co-author of Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species.
Dr. Dunn explains why guilt and fear haven’t inspired the climate action we need, how everyday choices – from what we eat to how we travel – can support both personal well-being and a healthier planet, and why taking action on an issue we care about may be one of the most powerful ways to manage our anxiety.
More from Happy Enough
The bond between humans and animals reaches beyond companionship. It can shape how we feel, connect and find meaning in our lives.
People-pleasing means putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own. It can look like kindness, but it can gradually take a toll on our well-being. On this episode of Happy Enough, we explore why so many of us learn these behaviours in a bid for belonging.
Studies suggest that volunteering can make us happier, healthier, and more connected to our communities. So why are fewer of us doing it? The share of Canadians who volunteered for an organization fell from 41% in 2018 to 32% in 2023. Over the same period, annual volunteer hours dropped to 1.2 billion from 1.7 billion, according to Statistics Canada.
From relationship advice to popular culture, sex is often treated as a vital ingredient in a happy, healthy life. But how much does it really matter? Garvia Bailey speaks with Amy Muise, a psychology professor and director of York University’s Sexual Health and Relationships Lab. They explore why the relationship between sexual frequency and happiness isn’t as simple as “more sex equals better wellbeing,” why Gen Z reports having less sex than older generations, and the myth that good sex has to be spontaneous.
Garvia Bailey returns to host season five of Happy Enough, a podcast from The Globe and Mail about happiness—and why it matters in an age of stress and bad news. This season, we’ll explore how happiness can benefit the climate, why volunteering brings us joy and whether humans really need sex to be happy. Season five of Happy Enough launches September 23.