Happiness isn’t something that simply happens overnight. Joy and positivity require practice, and few understand the science behind it better than Arthur C. Brooks.
Arthur’s expertise in cultivating happiness has made his course at Harvard University the most in-demand class at the prestigious business school. “I have about 180 students, with over 400 students on the waiting list,” he told HELLO! “There’s even a secret Zoom link for it that the students think I don’t know about.”
With an increasing focus on living a more purposeful, joyful, and contented life, Arthur believes social media has played a major role in this shift. “But I’m not going to suggest to my students to get rid of social media, because I’m also never going to do that,” he said. “But I do tell them they must try to limit their screen time, don’t look at their phone first thing, and make sure they only follow accounts that make them happy.”
Citing a study by LG Electronics, Arthur pointed out that “half of social media feeds have more negative content than positive, which is why our anxiety and unhappiness levels are creeping up.” He emphasized that establishing a disciplined morning routine has never been more essential. “It gets you off your phone and sets your day right,” he explained.
A Three-Step Formula for Happiness
Arthur outlined a straightforward approach to becoming happier. “To get happier, you need to do three things, and they do not involve downloading an app or taking a pill,” he stated. These steps include understanding the science of happiness, improving daily habits, and making a commitment to long-term lifestyle changes.
“The science of happiness is often surprising,” Arthur said, adding that the final step is sharing these ideas with others. “Most importantly, share the ideas with other people so that you’re committed to and can remember the things yourself,” he advised.
Arthur himself follows a disciplined daily routine that ensures he maintains what he calls “proper happiness hygiene.” “It’s not about having the most special thing or getting the perfect hammock or self-care or any of that nonsense,” he said. Instead, it’s about sticking to scientifically backed protocols that provide a strong foundation for sustained happiness.
The Power of a Morning Routine
Arthur firmly believes that discipline is at the core of self-care. “It’s not about the traditional self-care, which usually means taking it easy by having a bath or lighting a candle… No. Self-care is not taking it easy. Self-care is being disciplined about the things that really work and things that really matter, and that starts first thing in the morning,” he explained.
Regardless of where he is, Arthur adheres to the same morning schedule. “No matter what time zone I’m in, I get up before dawn. I work out. I go to mass. I always start the day in the same way,” he shared.
His approach aligns with an ancient Vedic concept known as Brahma Muhurta, which is also supported by modern neuroscience. “If you get up before dawn, you’re going to have better mental acuity, creativity, and focus for the rest of the day,” Arthur explained. He encouraged people to embrace early mornings, even if they consider themselves night owls. “Yes! This means that you should get up when it’s still dark. And I know, people are like, ‘But I’m a night person,’ and I say, ‘No. You’re not. No. You’re a morning person. You’re just undisciplined.’”
The Role of Physical Activity
Arthur emphasized the importance of exercise in managing mood and stress. “The single best way for you to manage your moods, which tend to be highest when you wake up in the morning as your stress hormones are peaking, is vigorous exercise. So get up before dawn and beat it up,” he advised.
While some might find simple activities like walking beneficial, Arthur takes a more intense approach. “For you, it might be walking, but for me, I have to really get uncomfortable to put myself in my happy place,” he said. “So I get up at 4:30 a.m., and at 4:45 until 5:45 a.m., I exercise very heavy.”
His workout routine involves high-intensity training and resistance exercises. “A lot of resistance and a lot of high-intensity exercise really helps me to manage my stress hormones and my anxiety responses over the course of the day,” he explained.
Nurturing the Soul
After exercising, Arthur prioritizes spiritual and mental well-being. “After exercising, I’m working on my soul,” he said. As a traditionally religious person, his routine includes daily mass. “I go to mass every morning from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., which helps me start the day calm and focused.”
For those who aren’t religious, Arthur suggested alternative methods of soul care. “For somebody else, working on your soul might mean meditation, journaling, or even listening to music or daydreaming on social media,” he said. However, he cautioned against mindless scrolling. “Make sure you’re scrolling on happy accounts. Look out for happy playlists like this one on TikTok to bring optimism to your feed.”
Embracing Unhappiness as Part of Life
Arthur stressed that feeling unhappy at times is natural and doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. “Happiness and unhappiness are not opposites,” he explained. Instead, they require different approaches. “But you have to manage them separately. You want to raise your happiness, and you want to manage your unhappiness.”
He warned against the common misconception that eradicating unhappiness should be the goal. “You don’t want to eradicate your unhappiness—that’s a big mistake because there’s nothing wrong with you for feeling unhappy,” he said. “It’s natural, you just need to manage it by getting your routine right. That’s the bottom line.”
Arthur’s approach to happiness is rooted in scientific research and practical strategies, proving that joy isn’t something we stumble upon—it’s something we cultivate through discipline, intentionality, and shared wisdom.