The Science of Happiness

Nov 14 2024 252 ep. 16 mins 12.2k
The Science of Happiness Podcast artwork

Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. Follow us on Instagram @HappinessPod.

  Science
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Happiness Break: How To Tune Into Water’s Restorative Power

Nov 14 2024 7 mins  
Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen guides us in a reflection on our interconnection with water, encouraging us to see it as more than just a vital resource, but as kin. How to Do This Practice: Last week we explored the scientifically backed healing qualities of water, focusing on how connecting with water through sound, sight, and touch can support our well being. This week,

How Water Heals

Nov 07 2024 25 mins  
Discover how connecting with water through all five senses can support well-being. A growing body of research shows that connecting with water through things like sight and sound and touch can have a positive impact on how we feel, how we think, and even the state of our bodies. This week, we activate all five senses through connecting with water in hopes of applying that research

Happiness Break: Sketching Serenity, With Chris Murchison

Oct 31 2024 7 mins  
A guided drawing meditation to help you break out of stale thought patterns and maybe even enter a state of flow. No talent required. How to Do This Practice: Grab a piece of paper and something to draw with. Find a comfortable place and start by taking some deep, mindful breaths Take a few moments to take in your environment. What colors, shapes, and objects do you see? Set a ti

How Rituals Help Us Process Grief

Oct 24 2024 26 mins  
We explore Día de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meaning, and helps us process grief while also connecting through shared joy. Summary: We investigate how Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, rituals strengthen family ties and cultural identity, and learn about its evolution from a 3,000 year old practice to a global cele

Happiness Break: A Humming Technique To Calm Your Nerves, with Priyanka Gupta

Oct 17 2024 4 mins  
Discover Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama), a soothing breathing technique that uses gentle humming to promote relaxation and mental calm. It’s important to take a moment to pause and take a long, slow exhale as we navigate life. In our podcast series, "Breathe Away Anxiety," we explore ancient breathing techniques alongside cutting-edge research that reveals the powerful

The Science of Humming

Oct 10 2024 22 mins  
Did you know humming can soothe your nervous system? We explore the stress-relieving power of Bhramari Pranayama, also known as humming bee breath, with marathon runner and activist Cal Calamia. Summary: Cal Calamia, the first nonbinary winner of the San Francisco Marathon, explores Bhramari Pranayama, an ancient yogic breathing technique that uses humming to promote relaxation. D

Happiness Break: A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax, with Dr. David Spiegel (Cyclic Sighing)

Oct 03 2024 8 mins  
Dr. David Spiegel guides you through cyclic sighing, a breathwork practice that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Summary: Dr. David Spiegel guides you through a simple yet powerful breathwork practice that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and boost overall well-being. Backed by Stanford research, this simple technique uses slow, controlled exhales to calm the nervous system and i

How To Breathe Away Anxiety

Sep 26 2024 23 mins  
It’s important to take a moment to pause and take a long, slow exhale as we navigate life. In our podcast series, "Breathe Away Anxiety," we explore ancient breathing techniques alongside cutting-edge research that reveals the powerful effects of slow, controlled breathing on our mental and physical well-being. We also share Happiness Break meditations to guide you through these

Happiness Break: The Healing Power of Your Own Touch, with Kristin Neff

Sep 19 2024 10 mins  
Dr. Kristin Neff guides us in a self-compassionate touch exercise, and shares the many research-backed reasons to cultivate kindness towards oneself. Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5xt3mz3h Summary: Dr. Kristin Neff guides us through various practices of self-compassionate touch, such as placing hands over the heart or cradling the face, to provide comfort and support. Research

How To Show Up For Yourself

Sep 12 2024 20 mins  
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