In Part Two of his series on meaning, Arthur Brooks dives into the neuroscience behind the meaning crisis, exploring why the avoidance of life’s deepest questions may be fueling rising rates of anxiety and depression.
Key takeaways:
- The Meaning-Mental Health Link: A lack of meaning isn’t just an existential discomfort. It has measurable connections to anxiety and depression in the brain.
- Avoidance Makes It Worse: Steering clear of life’s biggest questions doesn’t protect us; it may actually deepen the sense of emptiness and unease.
- Questions Matter Even Without Answers: Wrestling with life’s deepest questions reshapes how we see our lives. Dr. Brooks offers practical steps to engage the right side of the brain and begin building a more meaningful life.
Office Hours shares science-based strategies for building a happier, more meaningful life. New episodes usually air every Monday.
