We are often told that we can be happy, if we try hard enough. By shifting our mindset, changing our lifestyles, or even writing a gratitude journal – happiness is waiting for all of us! But, what does science say? To find out, science journalist Wendy Zukerman speaks to Prof. Paul Frijters, Ass. Prof. Dianne Vella Brodrick and Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas. We’re also joined by the author of The Happiness Myth, Jennifer Michael Hecht, as well as comedian Gen Fricker.

More information

Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/13/119/

Subjective well-being and adaptation to life events: a meta-analysis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22059843

A dark side of happiness? http://gruberpeplab.com/pdf/GruberMaussTamir_2011_DarkSideHappiness.pdf

HILDA Survey https://www.melbourneinstitute.com/downloads/hilda/Stat_Report/statreport_2015.pdf