Author: Dr Happy

Neoliberalism and self-help – Part 2: The Problems Neoliberalism Created for Self-Help and Mental Health

While self-help promised empowerment, it also carried a hidden cost. Neoliberalism’s emphasis on personal responsibility shifted attention away from collective realities. When everything — success, happiness, even burnout — becomes your fault or your choice, the psychological burden is immense. Under neoliberal logic, the individual becomes...

15 December, 2025

Neoliberalism and self-help – Part 1: How Neoliberalism Fueled the Self-Help Movement

The modern self-help industry didn’t just appear out of nowhere, it’s at least in part the product of a particular historical and economic philosophy: neoliberalism. Emerging in the late 20th century, neoliberalism prioritised individual responsibility, market freedom, and personal productivity as the ultimate measures of...

15 December, 2025

The Science of Hope: More Than a Feeling—A Positive Force for Action

Hope is often spoken of as something we feel: we “hope for the best,” “hold on to hope,” or “lose hope.” But in the science of positive psychology, hope is much more than an emotion or wishful thinking, it’s a dynamic force that shapes our...

08 December, 2025

We’re All Different — and That’s More Than OK

Walk into any room and you’ll find a spectrum of human expression. Some people light up the space with stories and laughter. Others prefer quiet observation, connecting deeply one-on-one. Some feel emotions like a symphony, intense and beautifully complex, while others are steady, calm waters. And guess...

01 December, 2025

Living a Values-Led Life: Freedom Beyond Achievement and Applause

In a world that celebrates success and recognition, it’s easy to measure our worth by what we achieve or how others respond. Yet decades of research in psychology and wellbeing reveal that real fulfilment comes not from applause, but from alignment — living according to...

24 November, 2025

The Power of Discomfort: Why Leaning Into Challenge Fuels Growth and Fulfilment

Most of us spend our lives trying to make things easier—more convenient, more comfortable, more predictable. Yet science tells us that the very opposite, discomfort, is often the key to growth, fulfilment, and long-term happiness. Whether in our personal lives or careers, learning to embrace...

18 November, 2025

We’re Not Great at Predicting What Makes Us Happy – But We Can Get Better

If you’ve ever looked forward to a big purchase, a dream holiday, or even a long-awaited promotion, only to find it didn’t feel quite as good as you imagined it would be, you’re not alone. Science tells us that humans are remarkably bad at predicting...

12 November, 2025

The Science of Togetherness: Why Everyday Moments Feel Better When Shared

Think about the last time you went for a walk, ate a meal, or even commuted to work. Were you alone—or was someone by your side? A growing body of research suggests that the difference between these two experiences could be much bigger than we...

05 November, 2025

Stop Doing These Things if You Want to Be Happier

When most of us think about happiness, we jump straight to the “to-do” list: practice gratitude, exercise more, meditate, spend time with friends, journal, eat well. And yes—those things matter. Research backs them up, and I try to do many of them myself. But there’s another...

29 October, 2025

The Psychological Benefits of Engaging With History

Lately, I’ve found myself spending more time reading history books and listening to podcasts about the past. At first, it was just curiosity—wanting to know more about the events and people who shaped the world we live in today. But over time, I noticed something...

22 October, 2025