Another barrier is our Western culture’s obsession with #selfcare. Helping others and focusing on strong social connections are associated with higher well-being, but Americans often focus inward for their happiness. I can say that while meditation and long walks in the woods were great ways for me to decompress, they didn’t make me any happier. To be honest, they made me kind of lonely, an experience research backs up. The only time I felt effortless joy was when it was a byproduct of helping or being with others: giving a friend advice, baking someone a loaf of bread, playing The Settlers of Catan with my parents.