The Science Of Happiness

Take a break from ruminating with Lama Rod Owens as he leads you in a meditation to cultivate a sky-like mind. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5fn7sw7t How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable position to begin this practice. Turn your attention to the rise and fall of your thoughts and feelings within your mind. Imagine that your mind is a vast open sky and that your thoughts are like clouds passing through. Recognize that these thoughts are just experiences that come and go, and that they do not constitute the whole sky or your whole being. Allow yourself to trust the bright openness of your mind, without worrying about it becoming stormy. When you are ready, reground yourself in the present moment by noticing how your body, and how it is held by your seat. Today’s Happiness Break host: Lama Rod Owens is a Buddhist teacher, author and activist passionate about creating engaging and inclusive healing spaces. Learn about Lama Rod Owens’ work: https://tinyurl.com/wd2huac5 Read Lama

For time immemorial, humans have connected deeply through singing with one another. We explore the science behind this, plus how group singing benefits other aspects of our health.  Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bdzkmezu Episode summary: When was the last time you sang with another person? This week, we’re digging into the science of singing — and more specifically, the science of singing with others, with author Casper ter Kuile. Casper started hosting signing groups in his home as a way to feel connected to others and build a community after moving to a new city. He found that singing is a powerful mode of communication that’s entirely different from talking, by letting people have fun together before even learning what the other does for work. We also hear from psychologist Arla Good, about how group singing can act as a tool for social bonding through a mood-boosting oxytocin response. Today’s guests: Casper ter Kuile is an author and speaker who focuses on themes of community b

Having a curious approach to life can improve our mood, creativity and relationships. Scott Shigeoka leads a visualization exercise to help you approach someone you might disagree with with an open and curious mind. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4dfsxr2x How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable place to begin the practice, focusing on your breath. Imagine that you are going to interact with a friend during a moment of conflict. Visualize the meeting, like the space around you and how you greet each other. Picture yourself showing a curious and loving perspective. Take note of what you would say, the tone of your voice, your body language, and in particular the types of questions you ask to impact the conversation. Pay attention to how you would feel if your friend was receiving your curiosity well, compared to if they weren’t. Visualize yourself thanking your friend for their friendship and curiosity before leaving the meeting. Today’s Happiness Break host: Scott Shigeoka is an aut

Simple actions like consciously placing a hand on your heart or hugging yourself can lower your cortisol levels, heart rate, and help you feel less stressed. Our guest tries a practice in self-soothing touch. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2zbykwh6 Episode summary: While reading this, you might be fiddling with your fingers or have a hand resting on your face -– these are examples of self-touch. This week, we are examining the benefits of offering ourselves soothing touches with comedian Calvin Cato. Calvin leads a busy, stressful life. He tried the self-soothing touch practice as a way to better connect with himself. He found that physically caring for himself allowed him to reground his emotions and regulate his stress. To his surprise, the physical sensations also triggered fond childhood memories with his father. Later, we hear from self-compassion and mindfulness expert Aljoscha Dreisoerner about why we evolved to crave touch and how self-touch can be as effective as getting a hug f

When we mindfully tense and then release our muscles, our bodies are telling our brains to relax. Try this practice that's proven to help with depression, anxiety, and stress.  Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/477t6uhv How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable space to complete this practice, ideally lying down. Soften your gaze and turn your attention towards your feet. When inhaling, tense your feet as much as you can for no more than 10 seconds. Then exhale and release your feet and toes, noticing the feelings of relaxation as you untense.  Repeat this process of tensing and releasing different parts of your body, working upwards from your legs to your torso, all the way to your upper body, arms and face. Remember to inhale when you are tensing your body, and exhale when you release.  Today’s Happiness Break host: Jo Qina’au is meditation guide and clinical psychology fellow from Harvard University.  Learn more about Jo Qina’au’s work: https://tinyurl.com/bdfyw3ar Follow Jo on Ins

Want to destress your mind? Start with your body. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a practice where you methodically tense and release your muscles to help unwind.  Studies show it can reduce anxiety, help you get better sleep and lower depression levels. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/y6stdy3b Episode summary: As a war correspondent and an Afghani refugee, Nelufar Hedayat is acutely aware of how stress feels in her body. For our show, Nelufar tried Progressive Muscle Relaxation: But what the practice’s title doesn’t mention is that you methodically tense your muscles,  before releasing them.. At first, it triggered feelings of distress for her. But after recently being diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, Nelufar was able to reframe her relationship to the exercise. By separating the sensation of tensing from stress, she completed the practice feeling empowered and euphoric. Later, we hear from psychologist Loren Toussaint about the importance of intentionally engaging o

Take a moment to ground yourself with this meditation that helps bring awareness to the relationship between ourselves and the earth beneath us. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p8vub46 (English) También tenemos esta meditación en Español. How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable position to start the practice, ensuring that your feet feel grounded. Focus on your breath, and how the air moves from your chest out through your nose. Notice how the bottoms of your feet are connected to the earth, and how your body is supported and sustained by the earth beneath you. If any distractions arise, refocus your attention on your breathing and the points of contact between your body and the surface beneath you. Complete this practice by expressing a sense of gratitude for the earth and our ability to reground ourselves within it. Today’s Happiness Break host: Diana Parra is professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is also a registered mindfulness and yoga teacher who foc

Tómate un momento para conectarte con esta meditación que ayuda a tomar conciencia de la relación entre nosotros y la tierra. Enlace a la transcripción: https://tinyurl.com/umu6wx33 We also have this meditation in English — It's on our podcast feed wherever you're listening right now.

Dr. Omar Guzman reflects on how a practice to cultivate more respect shaped the way he interacts with his patients.  Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2fwen962 Episode Summary: As an ER doctor in an overworked healthcare system, Omar Guzman isn’t always able to build the relationships with patients the way he’d like to. For our show, Omar tried a practice called the 7 Elements of Respect. By contemplating his own motivations and biases, practicing deep listening and prioritizing relationship-building, Omar was able to develop a meaningful connection with a patient and was reminded of why he decided to pursue medicine. Later, we hear from Diane Johnson, the creator of this practice, to learn more about the multifaceted aspects of respect, and how developing empathic relationships can shape and strengthen our sense of community. Practice: Acknowledge the conflict and affirm your commitment to understanding and moving forward. Ensure that you are staying honest and true to yourself. Hear ne

Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4x2whvzb How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable place to do this practice and settle into a relaxed pattern of breath. Think of someone who’s character has moved and inspired you. Focus on a specific time when they did something that inspired you. Notice the feelings that arise in your body when you reflect on that person’s moral beauty. Reflect on why that aspect of moral beauty is so significant and meaningful to you. Think of how you can strive to incorporate it into your own life. Today’s Happiness Break host: Dacher Keltner is the host of the Greater Good Science Center’s award-winning podcast, The Science of Happiness and is a co-instructor of the GGSC’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. C

Rapper Rexx Life Raj shared his deepest pain in his latest album, and discovered it was one big compassion practice for his fans dealing with their own grief. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4xzncasd Episode summary: After losing both of his parents in the same year, Rapper Rexx Life Raj channeled his grief into his latest album. On tour, he found himself communing with fans who were struggling with grief of their own. For our show, Raj tried a meditation to cultivate more compassion, and discovered that his life was full of compassion practices – like connecting with his fans who were suffering. We also hear from researcher Hooria Jazaieri about the relationship between vulnerability and compassion, why compassion is so critical to our relationships, and the many ways we can cultivate more of it. Practice: Find a comfortable place and take a few moments to focus on your breath. Think of a loved one. Allow the feelings of warmth and love to fill your heart. Wish those individuals well.

Take a few minutes to develop your sense of awe for the circle of life in this meditation with Dacher Keltner. LINK TO EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://tinyurl.com/2tv3whj2 All sentient beings are impermanent, and out of our reflections on this we find appreciation. We find poignancy. A little sadness, but also out of that sadness and poignancy, a sense of deep appreciation for the people we love. How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable place. Focus on taking a few deep breaths, relaxing your body from head to toe. Think of an older relative who you are close to. Picture them in your mind. Imagine how they entered the world years ago as a newborn. Continue to imagine this individual growing up — through adolescence into adulthood, developing the qualities that you admire. Now imagine them later in life, into seniority. Reflect on the progression of the individual’s life, from the beginning to the final stages in this natural progression of the life cycle for humans. Recognize that they'll pass or maybe t

Humor can help us with stress, anxiety and feeling more connected to others. But is humor connected to mindfulness? And how can we find more of it? Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2p9dkds7 Episode summary: For Emmy- nominated comedian Josh Johnson, humor has always come naturally. But over time, Josh has found it difficult to  reignite his passion for comedy outside of his career. For our show, Josh wrote down three funny things he experienced every day for a week. He noticed that funny moments often arise from a series of interconnected events, and that they aren’t always something we can prepare for. Instead, it’s the unexpected moments that often lead to a comedic sense of joy. Later, we hear from psychologist Sonja Heintz about the connection between various types of humor and mindfulness, and how engaging in mindful practices can spur more positive and benevolent types of humor.  Practice: Take 10 minutes a day for at least a week to write down 3 of the funniest moments you experi

Relieve stress, boost self-esteem, and increase focus through a simple body music practice. And do it with a friend to feel more compassion and a hit of oxytocin. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc8aer74 How to Do This Practice: Try using these movements to create various rhythmic combinations with your body: One: Clap your hands, slightly cupping with each clapping instead of hitting your full palms together. Two: Tap your right hand to your left chest. Three: Tap your left hand to tap your right chest. Four: Tap your right thigh with your right hand. Five: Tap your left thigh with your left hand. Then loop back to the top. Today’s Happiness Break host: Keith Terry is a percussionist and body musician who uses a variety of surfaces to create interesting rhythms. Learn more about Keith Terry: https://tinyurl.com/5av66v5f Watch Keith Terry in action: https://tinyurl.com/299vuw4a More resources from The Greater Good Science Center: The Science of Synchronized Movement (The Science

Just 20 minutes of improv theater can foster creativity and confidence, and help with anxiety, depression, and your ability to tolerate uncertainty. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4t9rjj58 Episode summary: Deema Altaher was never one for the spotlight. So when her husband signed them up for improv classes, she had no idea what to expect. And yet after one class, Deema was hooked. From active listening games to “yes, and” prompts, she found that improv exercises shifted the way she connected with other people, and eased her nerves as she navigated all the uncomfortable parts of starting a new job. She was also inspired to “say yes” to new life opportunities. In fact, an emerging science shows that improv can benefit many people in terms of fostering greater comfort with new situations, inspiring creativity, lifting your mood, and even easing anxiety and depression. Professor Peter Felsman is a social scientist and improviser himself who has tested this spontaneous style of theater in the

Mindful breathing exercises are a simple, effective, and fast way to shift our mindset and improve physical and mental well-being when practiced regularly. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mpt4rr5x How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable position to start the practice, maintain a good posture and close your eyes.  Take a deep breath in for a count of four. Hold that breath, feeling it in your lungs and body for another count of four. Push the air outwards, exhaling for a count of six. Repeat this exercise as many times as you would like. Today’s Happiness Break host: Dacher Keltner is the host of the award-winning podcast, The Science of Happiness and is a co-instructor of the GGSC’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center and a professor of psychology at the UC, Berkeley. Check out Dacher’s most recent book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/4j4hcvyt

War veteran and country music singer Sal Gonzalez tries the Taoist practice of Wu Wei to improve his relationship with anger. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yavaw23d Episode summary: For Iraq war veteran Sal Gonzalez, relying on anger had become second nature — and while this emotion was beneficial for him on the battlefield, Sal found it difficult to manage his anger when readjusting to civilian life. For our show Sal tried a 5 step practice of Wu Wei. Rooted in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism, Wu Wei is focused on setting strategic intentions and accepting difficult situations, rather than resisting them. After trying the practice, Sal reflected that he doesn’t have to give up anger entirely, rather, he can be more intentional about choosing when to use it. We later hear from Dr. Doris Chang, the clinical psychologist who developed a 5 step methodology of practicing Wu Wei, to learn more about the impact of acceptance and non-action. Practice: Articulate: Identify your goal

Moving meditations can help reduce stress and boost self-awareness. Improve your ability to sense your body in space with this 7-minute proprioception meditation. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ynkdywbn How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable place where you can move your arms freely. This practice can be completed sitting or standing. If you choose to stand, avoid locking your knees by bending them slightly. Begin by taking deep breaths, drawing your attention to your body in the present moment. Balance your posture by grounding evenly through your feet, leveling your pelvis, and straightening your back. Focus your attention on your arms, starting from your shoulders down to your fingertips. Bring your palms to touch in front of your heart, inhale and lift them upwards to meet above your head. Exhale and bring them towards your heart. Repeat this cycle 2-3 more times, focusing on noticing how your body moves through space.    Today’s Happiness Break host: Dacher Keltner is the hos

We enjoy the world through our five senses, so why don't we do more to heighten them? We explore the techniques and science of the senses with Gretchen Rubin. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4s3wv9mv Episode summary: When Gretchen Rubin found out she was at greater risk of losing her eyesight, she started to recognize what she had been taking for granted and her appreciation for sight — and the rest of her senses — was reignited. Since then, Gretchen has been committed to discovering how our five senses shape and enhance our experiences of the world. Like how certain odors can trigger good memories and how our sense of touch stimulates the vagus nerve, which has a calming effect on our brains and bodies. We explore techniques to enhance each of our senses, and the science behind how they contribute to our well-being. Today’s guest: Gretchen Rubin is an acclaimed journalist and author. Read Gretchen’s latest book book, Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Hea

Treating yourself with kindness reduces anxiety and improves coping skills. Spring Washam encourages us to be more self-compassionate through a short guided meditation. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mrx8t9st How to Do This Practice: Find a comfortable position and begin to focus on your breath. This is a practice to use when you are struggling in some way. Allow your attention to turn toward your suffering and notice how you feel, and where those emotions are held in your body. Close your eyes and imagine that you are literally breathing in compassion and care for yourself. Hold your left hand in your right, or place your hands on your heart, holding yourself with care. Continue to direct compassionate energy to yourself using the mantra “May I care about this suffering. May I care about these difficulties.” Today’s Happiness Break host: Spring Washam is a meditation teacher whose practices draw on themes of loving-kindness, well-being and compassion. Learn More About Spring’s work: