What if happiness isn’t something you arrive at—but something you practice?
As we step into a new year, many of us find ourselves chasing happiness through goals, achievements, or self-improvement plans. But decades of research tell a very different story.
In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Dr. Gillian Mandich, health science researcher, two-time TEDx speaker, and founder of the International Happiness Institute of Health Science Research. Together, we explore happiness not as a destination, but as a daily, embodied practice shaped by our thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and nervous systems.
We unpack why happiness doesn’t come from money, success, or achievement, and what actually sustains wellbeing over a lifetime.
In this conversation, we unravel:
✨ Why happiness is deeply personal—and why many of us struggle to define what truly makes us happy
🧠 The science behind happiness as a practice, not a personality trait
🥧 The “happiness pie chart” and what portion of wellbeing is actually within our influence
🔁 The myth of a fixed happiness set point—and whether lasting change is possible
🌿 Evidence-based happiness hygiene practices, including gratitude, meditation, and small daily habits that make a big difference
💛 How embodiment, awareness, and meaning play a role in sustained wellbeing
This episode is an invitation to explore what happiness feels like for you, and how you might begin practicing it in small, realistic ways.
If you’re ready to approach happiness differently this year, this conversation is for you.
🔗 Connect with Dr. Gillian Mandich
Website: https://www.gillianmandich.com
🎧 Stay Connected
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
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📚 Research Reference
The Harvard Study of Adult Development
A longitudinal study spanning more than 75 years, examining what predicts health, happiness, and longevity across the lifespan.
Learn more: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/
