Who has the secret of well-being? The answer may surprise you.

When it comes to happiness and living well, we can learn a lot from toddlers.

Stay here with me. Hasan Merali, an associate professor of pediatrics at McMaster University and an emergency room pediatrician, has treated thousands of patients between the ages of 1 and 5. In his book “Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets From the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life,” he writes that this group has an undeserved bad reputation.

“A term I hate is ‘terrible twos,’” Dr. Merali me. ‘Or ‘three-nagers.’ Can you imagine if we labeled another age group like this?”

Yes, he said, toddlers have tantrums, but… research suggests that they occur on average once a day and last three minutes.

The rest of the time, Dr. Merali said, toddlers are models of wellness. He shared some good habits, common among people under 5, that can improve your mental and physical health.

Try positive self-talk.

Young children tend to coach themselves out loud, a practice known as private speech (like this popular clip of a 4-year-old snowboarder).

Toddlers aren’t shy about talking to themselves, Dr. Merali said, and neither should you. Research shows that positive self-talk for adults can help with problem solving, learning, confidence, and managing your emotions.

I told Dr. Merali that I tend to speak harshly to myself, but would try using phrases like “You can do it” instead.

Take every opportunity to move.

According to research, two-year-olds are active for almost five hours a day an overview of 24 studies. They move joyfully and instinctively, said Dr. Merali.

Adults can look for ways to get more exercise, even if it’s just for a minute. Take a quick walk around the block, or plan a meeting on foot instead of sitting down. If you’re home alone, do what Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist at Stanford University, calls “full-body karaoke”: sing and move to your favorite song.

Short bursts of activity have been shown to cause this increase lifespan if they amount to 10 minutes per day. Standing up for three minutes every half hour can also help control your blood sugar levels.

You can also find ways to be around young children, “a happiness that is second to none,” said Dr. Merali. (The nonprofit Generations United has one national database of intergenerational programs and activities.)

Asking questions.

Young children are not afraid to ask questions, Dr. Merali said. A study found that they asked an average of 107 questions per hour. (This won’t surprise their parents.)

I’ve written a few children’s books, and my favorite part of reading at the library was question time: “Have you ever been to the moon?” “Can you turn into a cheetah?”

Adults are socialized to withhold our questions because we often worry about what other people think, Dr. Merali said. But asking questions not only helps us obtain information, it is also an important way to do so build relationshipshe said.

Improve your sleep schedule.

Toddlers thrive on routine, and a schedule with consistent sleep and wake times will help you too, says Alberto Ramos, a sleep neurologist and researcher at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

If your schedule allows it, and you have the urge, a nap also has numerous benefits, including sharper thinking and reaction times and better memory.

As long as you don’t suffer from insomnia, which can be made worse by napping, Dr. Ramos takes a short nap – 20 to 30 minutes maximum – in the early afternoon.

Look for opportunities to laugh.

Toddlers “see the world as a comedy club,” writes Dr. Merali. One study found that young children laugh six times as much as adults. But we can look for ways to build playfulness and humor into our day.

Listen to a comedy podcast or trade silly texts with someone, said Dr. Merali. Research shows you laugh more when you’re with friends, so make time for them, he said.

“I get a dad joke in the mail every day,” said Dr. Merali me. “And during my lunch break I watch videos.”

I asked him what he watches: “funny toddler videos,” he said. Naturally.

The FDA has approved Wegovy for heart health.

The weight-loss drug Wegovy is now approved for reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease and overweight or obesity. The updated label will most likely put more pressure on employers to mention it, but Wegovy is in short supply. It is unclear how long the shortage will last.

Read the story: Wegovy goes beyond weight loss