tively pursuing happiness may actually make people feel worse. Researchers found that focusing too much on being happy can drain mental energy and reduce self-control. Contributors Jamie and Doug Baker weigh in on the findings, discussing the importance of contentment and why happiness might come more naturally when we stop trying so hard to achieve it.","image":"https://fueltools-prod01-public.fuelmedia.io/850b1730-09d2-44a7-bb6a-504c205fd228/20250308/0c2676bb-635c-4e39-bd28-2a829c7fc6dd/thumbnail.png","thumbnailUrl":["https://fueltools-prod01-public.fuelmedia.io/850b1730-09d2-44a7-bb6a-504c205fd228/20250308/0c2676bb-635c-4e39-bd28-2a829c7fc6dd/thumbnail.png"],"uploadDate":"2025-03-10T15:11","datePublished":"2025-03-10T15:11","dateModified":"2025-03-10T15:11","contentUrl":"https://nbcpalmsprings.com/2025/03/10/can-trying-too-hard-to-be-happy-make-you-miserable","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NBC Palm Springs","url":"https://nbcpalmsprings.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NBC Palm Springs","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://nbcpalmsprings.com/icon.svg"}},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://nbcpalmsprings.com/therogginreport/2025/03/10/can-trying-too-hard-to-be-happy-make-you-miserable"}}19:T7a2,

If you constantly strive to be happy, you might actually be making yourself miserable. Research from the University of Toronto suggests that the pursuit of happiness can drain mental energy, making it harder to engage in activities that truly bring joy.

According to the study, those who place a higher value on happiness often struggle with self-control and report feeling less satisfied overall. Jamie and Doug Baker, a dynamic married duo, discussed why this happens.

“I think people tend to set the bar too high,” Jamie explained. “They try so hard to be happy that it just doesn’t work. You have to enjoy the simple things—like wat

Can Trying Too Hard to Be Happy Make You Miserable?