Dan Brooks, a researcher and educator focused on the science of happiness, emphasizes the complex relationship between suffering and meaning in human life. According to Brooks, the brain regions responsible for processing pain and suffering overlap with those involved in deriving meaning, suggesting that negative experiences play a crucial role in activating a sense of purpose.
Brooks argues against attempting to eliminate all forms of pain or discomfort, whether physical or emotional. Drawing from his own experience with chronic back pain, he highlights the importance of acceptance and management rather than elimination. He notes that trying to completely rid oneself of pain can lead to harmful behaviors, such as opioid dependency, whereas mindful management—such as occasional medication combined with physical therapy—can foster resilience and promote healthier outcomes.
To cope with pain and find constructive outcomes from adversity, Brooks promotes several strategies. Among them is retraining the brain through techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. For example, he tries to pair the experience of pain with feelings of gratitude, which helps him maintain a broader awareness of life despite discomfort. Another technique Brooks recommends is maintaining what he calls a “failure journal.” Individuals record their worries, disappointments, or losses when they arise, then revisit these entries weeks later to reflect on lessons learned or positive developments stemming from those challenges.
Brooks also underscores the value of helping others as a pathway to meaning. He notes that assisting people who face similar difficulties can create connections and foster emotional well-being. Research supports the idea that providing support to others, along with vulnerability and social connection, enhances a person’s sense of purpose. As Brooks puts it, “If you want something, give it away. If you have a problem with something, find somebody who has that problem and help them.”
His interest in happiness research was sparked by a personal experience and has since evolved into a career dedicated to exploring how people can find meaning amid struggle. In his latest book, “The Meaning of Your Life,” Brooks contends that efforts to avoid discomfort have unintentionally diminished the sense of meaning in people’s lives. He advocates for embracing struggle as a necessary component of a meaningful existence.
Brooks also draws attention to a broader societal phenomenon: a growing sense of meaninglessness among young people. Data from the Monitoring the Future study, which has surveyed thousands of adolescents annually since 1975, shows a sharp increase since 2008 in the number of respondents who report feeling that life often seems meaningless. Brooks links this trend to the rise of technology and widespread smartphone use following the release of the iPhone in 2007.
He explains that the constant availability of digital distractions prevents the brain from entering “default mode,” a state of mind characterized by spontaneous thought and mind wandering. This mode is important for creativity, problem-solving, and ultimately for finding meaning. Many prefer the immediate relief of distraction over the discomfort of seemingly aimless reflection, even though the latter can yield deeper insights. Brooks describes this dynamic as creating “the ultimate distraction machine,” embodied by the smartphone.
Through his research and teaching, Brooks advocates for a more balanced engagement with pain, reflection, and connection as essential elements in the pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling life.