More Happier: Happiness, Self-Compassion, Meditation & More—with Elmo! Pt. 2
Oct 19, 2024
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Join clinical psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, 10% Happier host Dan Harris, and beloved Elmo for a vibrant discussion on mental wellness. They explore the art of self-compassion and its transformative impact. Elmo shares his viral moment, delighting listeners with insights on building connections. The trio also delves into mindfulness techniques, offering practical tips for remaining present in a busy world. This fun and insightful conversation offers fresh perspectives on happiness and well-being for all ages.
Practicing mindfulness through short, flexible meditation sessions can effectively combat stress and promote emotional well-being.
Engaging in volunteer work and building relationships can alleviate anxiety and foster a sense of purpose and connection.
Deep dives
Benefits of Boca Toothpaste
Boca toothpaste offers unique flavors like Ella Mint and cocoa ginger, making dental care enjoyable. It features nanohydroxyapatite, a calcium-based ingredient that restores teeth and enamel, comprising 97% of tooth enamel and 70% of dentin. Kids’ flavors, such as orange cream and strawberry mango, are designed to be delicious and safe to swallow. Currently, Boca is promoting a discount on its toothpaste, encouraging families to make the switch to non-toxic oral care products.
Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
Finding moments to practice mindfulness can help combat the feeling of constantly being in 'do mode'. Starting with a small commitment to meditation can ease the pressure often associated with beginning a practice, suggesting that even one minute of calm can be effective. The key is to incorporate gentle, low-pressure reminders into your daily schedule, as missed practices can serve as catalysts for recognizing stress signals. This approach emphasizes that mindfulness is not a rigid routine but rather a flexible practice that allows for occasional setbacks.
Accepting and Navigating Emotions
Understanding and processing negative emotions like anger or anxiety provides valuable insights into our mental state. The suggested method includes noticing physical responses and thoughts during emotional experiences, allowing individuals to disassemble feelings into manageable parts. This reflective practice aids in recognizing that emotions are temporary and encourages self-compassion. Observing emotions as waves can foster acceptance, ultimately leading to healthier responses rather than automatic reactions.
Strategies for Reducing Anxiety
Anxiety levels have escalated, particularly in the post-pandemic era, making it essential to find effective coping mechanisms. Engaging in local volunteer work is a helpful way to combat feelings of helplessness and improve mental well-being, as acts of kindness provide purpose and connection. Additionally, cultivating relationships contributes significantly to lowering anxiety through supportive interactions. Practicing discomfort tolerance by facing small challenges can also prepare individuals for larger emotional hurdles in the future.
October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and to mark the event, Yale professor Dr Laurie Santos of the Happiness Lab podcast has assembled the “Titans of Happiness”: a crew of hosts and happiness experts from the top wellness podcasts. I was thrilled to join this panel with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a clinical psychologist and host of the podcast Therapy for Black Girls, Dan Harris, host and author of the 10% Happier podcast, and Laurie Santos--and all of us were a little starstruck by another extra special guest… ELMO! We talk hacks for building relationships with others, Elmo's viral moment, and self compassion. Here’s part 2.