The 2025 Medscape Dermatologist Mental Health Wellbeing Report showed that many dermatologists strive for happiness and balance. Now, new pilot data suggest that daily physical activity and adequate sleep, measured by Garmin devices, may be the keys.
Conducted by Garmin and researchers from Harvard University and the University of Oxford, the data release was timed with the International Day of Happiness, held on March 20, 2025.
The survey aimed to identify predictors of happiness and well-being using data from smartwatches and smartphones.
The survey found that daily physical activity and adequate sleep were strongly correlated with increased happiness and reduced levels of stress.
What’s more, respondents were happiest when involved in cultural and social activities, eating, or spending time with friends and family. Emotional stability varied by age, with older adults showing more stability and younger adults more variability, the survey showed.
The study demonstrated high retention rates, suggesting participants found value in self-monitoring their emotions during the day.
Now, after successfully completing the initial test phases, the Health and Happiness Study is expanding to include more than 10,000 participants from around the globe.
Surveys are sent to respondents’ smartphones three times per day, asking them to identify their current level of happiness and activities directly preceding the survey.
Those reports are then cross-referenced with data from Garmin smartwatches and smartphones to provide a nuanced, qualitative, and quantitative representation of how happiness is impacted by variables like physical activity, sleep, socialization, and stress.
The Health and Happiness Study is currently accepting applicants.
