If it seems like happiness is a constantly moving target, you’re not alone. In the 2024 World Happiness Report, the United States fell from the top 20 happiest countries for the first time since the rankings began 12 years prior. Mental health concerns are on the rise. A quick glance at the headlines reveals growing unease—more anxiety, more stress, political frenzy, mounting pressure to achieve perfection thanks to social media, and more reports of dissatisfaction. And this is despite the fact that we have access to so many more resources to address our unhappiness than ever before.
Go find yourself at a yoga retreat in Bali. Take a pill. Or better yet, take an hour long walk every day. Self-care, self-care, self-care. But what if the solution to a complex problem is much more simple than that?
Recent research suggests that happiness—like yawning—is contagious. According to SCU professor of communication SunWolf, who’s been teaching “The Science of Happiness” course for over 15 years, our brains are literally wired to mirror the emotions of those around us. The smallest gestures, like a smile or a compliment, can spread positivity in a way that transforms entire environments.
SunWolf explains that our brains are equipped with mirror neurons—tiny cells that make us replicate the behaviors and emotions of others. “If someone gives you a big smile, your brain wants to smile back,” she says. “It’s an automatic, almost unconscious response.”
Negativity is just as easily passed on, SunWolf says. “Complaining is something you catch immediately,” she warns. “If someone starts complaining, it can trigger a whole group to start complaining too.” Think of it like a viral infection—only instead of germs, it’s grumbles. But the good news is, we have the power to reverse the trend. A small gesture of kindness can break the cycle.
Even in high-stakes environments, the power of happiness persists. SunWolf points out that a happy supervisor can create a work environment where employees are more satisfied, more productive, and more likely to stay. “Happy supervisors have more power to ‘contaminate’ happiness,” she explains. “A happy doctor or nurse, even in the midst of sickness, can create an environment where patients feel more at ease.” Seeing joy in others, even in tough situations, can trigger positive emotions within us.