When Olympic winners are announced, what emotion do you expect to see on the faces of the silver and bronze medal winners immediately after the announcement? We would say disappointment. And we would be partially right. The silver medal winners do reflect that emotion. What is surprising though is that bronze medal winners show happiness. And this trend continues to be reflected in the time after the event too.

Why is that? The explanation lies in how humans measure winning and losing. Those who come in second place are sad because they are comparing themselves to the first place winner and thinking about what they lost. Whereas bronze winners are happy because they are looking at what they won, that they got on the podium.

So our disappointment from losses and elation from wins are not absolute, but rather based on who we weigh ourselves against. My dad used to say that the only person you need to beat is the person you were yesterday. It is easier said than done but I think it is a useful reminder to lead a happier life.