The Science of Happiness

We explore the science behind how self-compassionate touch can help us feel better about ourselves. Link to transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4nm5827f Summary:  Brittany Luce, host of NPR's "It's Been A Minute," shares her experience with self-compassionate touch. She did it for 20 seconds, almost daily. to quiet her inner critic and foster self-compassion, especially during moments of stress or sel...

Letting go of our regrets can motivate us to improve and help us grow. Alex Elle, a certified breath work and writing coach, guides us through a meditation to forgive and accept ourselves. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5dzrzm4z How to Do This Practice: 1. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, remember all you have done in the past that led you to come to be where you are today. 2. R...

What if you had a magic wand and could better the world in any way? What would you do? We explore a practice shown to help you find your purpose and feel more motivated, resilient and fulfilled in life. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bp7wv7ft Episode Summary What’s your greater purpose in life? It’s a tough question, especially if you’re feeling uncertain about your future. In thi...

Our happiness is interconnected with the well-being of others, both people and the natural world. Step outside of you can, or imagine the outdoors from wherever you are now, and join us for a meditation that’ll help us be better stewards of the natural world. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y3yfjsxa Episode Summary A meditation on how we can give back to the earth, led by indigenou...

With the U.S. election swiftly approaching, the political divide can feel overwhelming. But what happens when we recognize the limits of our knowledge?  Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/83a5wbkp  Episode Summary When we internally acknowledge the limits of our knowledge, we create space to engage with other points of view. Allowing new perspectives in can help us better assess argum...

Loving-kindness meditation, or “metta,” has its roots in Buddhist traditions that date back thousands of years. Studies show it can help nourish your capacity to express love, feel more satisfied in life, and enhance brain areas involved in emotional processing and empathy.  Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5h3nfwjb Episode Summary Dacher guides us in a meditation that has been prac...

Have you ever known you were dreaming while you were asleep? Our guests try practices to help induce lucid dreams, and we hear what they can teach us about consciousness. Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/yc6trmsh

Take a moment to appreciate the beauty and vastness of the sky. Dacher Keltner guides us through a practice of pausing to turn your gaze to the sky as a pathway to awe, creativity and wonder. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5xfwp4 Practice: Go someplace where you feel safe and also have a nice view of the sky. First, focus on your breathing. Take a few slow inhales and even slowe...

Safe encounters with wildlife can deepen our appreciation for nature, and for other people. Craig Foster of “My Octopus Teacher” shares his transformational experiences with the animals of the ocean. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/murmd98b Episode Summary Venturing into nature and experiencing wildlife can be transformative. Safe interactions with wildlife encourage us to be more...

Just a few moments of tuning into nature can make you feel more inspired, connected, and less lonely. Let us guide you through a five-minute noticing nature practice — you don't even have to leave your neighborhood. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/aj34s585 How to Do This Practice: Find somewhere where you can focus on the natural environment, like your backyard. Take a few slow, de...

Exploring novel places and having diverse experiences is important to our well-being and can make us feel happier. This week, Ike Sriskandarajah, a producer for This American Life, takes us with him as he explores new parts of New York City. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/seystc6c Episode summary :  Shaking yourself out of your normal routine can be hard–but studies show it’s wort...

Connect to yourself and the land you stand on in under 10 minutes with this grounding practice led by Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3at8hrsu How to Do This Practice:   If possible, go outside and find some natural ground, like grass or dirt. If you're wearing shoes or socks, take them off and place the soles of your feet directly on the grou...

Everyday activities, such as cleaning and gardening, can be sources of joy and opportunities for mindfulness. This week, our guest shares his experience practicing mindful sweeping on the temple stairs in Kyoto, Japan with Shoukei Matsumoto, a Buddhist monk. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3r6ju2wh The Science of Happiness is now Instagram, and we'd love for you to follow us! You c...

Last week on The Science of Happiness, we discussed the scientifically proven health benefits of the ancient Chinese practice of qigong with Harvard psychologist Peter Wayne. This week, we practice a standing meditation, with qigong master Sherry Zhang.  Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3t5wdexe How to Do This Practice: Take a moment to stand upright with your feet together and take...

Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over 4,000 years. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2ywsck4e Episode summary : Finding calm in your day to day life can be stressful, especially in a world that seems to be moving at such a rapid pace. Your life can change in an insta...

Here's a favorite of ours: visualize your best possible self and tap into your inherent enough-ness with this guided meditation by Justin Michael Williams. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5xm9ckff How to Do This Practice: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and visualize your ideal future self, the person of your dreams you’ve always wanted to be. Try noticing as many details...

She's the world's leading animal behaviorist and an autism advocacy leader. Guest Temple Grandin shares what kind of support systems led her to success, and we hear about how community, and lack thereof, affects our health and ability to succeed. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y82vw4dv Episode summary: Having strong relationships is vital to our well-being. We tend to be happier a...

Experiencing awe can help us slow down and connect to the world around us. So how can we harness the power of this feeling? Host Dacher Keltner leads us in a colorful meditation to bring about awe.  Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3e9cyky5 Practice: Please find a space, either inside or outside, where you can take a moment and pause and look slowly at a scene in front of you.  Sett...

Hearing birdsong can help us feel less anxious , recover from stress faster, and even reduce muscle tension ... but can it help us fall asleep? Drew Ackerman of Sleep With Me podcast listens to recordings of birdsongs to see if it'll help with insomnia. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n7sxjtb Episode summary : Drew Ackerman, aka Scooter of Sleep With Me Podcast, has always struggl...

Pilina is an indigenous Hawaiian word, or concept, that describes our deep interconnectedness. Harvard Clinical Psychology Fellow Jo Qina'au guides us through a contemplation of our profound interrelationships. Link to Episode Transcript: https://shorturl.at/npAM9 How to Do This Practice: Pilina comes from the indigenous Hawaiian language and culture.  Pilina means connection, or interconnectednes...

Thinking about happy memories activates reward centers in our brains, and can help us feel more connected and accepted. Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye discovers the joy-bringing power of recalling her good childhood memories. Link to Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2r63e6tn Episode summary : Whether it’s news notifications or work emails, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the stresses o...

A walking meditation led by 10% Happier Host Dan Harris How to Do This Practice: Begin walking. Bring your awareness to the present moment, noticing sights and sounds around you. When your mind wanders to worries or other thoughts, gently bring yourself back to what you notice around you. See if you can notice the sensations in your leg as you take each step. Continue walking this way as long as y...

Finding ways to bend tasks toward your strengths and passions can make you happier, more productive and find more meaning in your life — no matter your job. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4ky325rs Episode summary : When the poet and former professor Susan Glass first retired, she stacked her days with so many volunteer gigs and passion projects, she felt like she was working harde...

Accepting difficult feelings like anger or irritation can help us keep our cool, feel better overall, and find calm on the other side. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/n6hm5yhz How to Do This Practice: Begin the practice by settling your mind and body. Notice your breath and any sensations that arise in your body, Shift your attention away from your body, recalling an instance where...

We learn techniques for working across the aisle without compromising our values from a Democratic politician in one of the most conservative states, Oklahoma. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/w2a9a42p Episode summary : Trying to have a conversation with someone who has an opposing view can be exhausting. This week, we explore what it means to have productive discussions when we dis...