Increasing humility, suppressing negative thoughts and talking about mental health at work
Oct 31, 2023
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Daryl Van Tongeren discusses the benefits of humility, even in the workplace. Claudia visits Grundon Waste Management to talk about mental health training. Daryl O'Connor shares neuroscience findings, like expressing gratitude for parental wellbeing and communicating while asleep through facial expressions.
Embracing humility fosters psychological security and improves relationships, promoting understanding and reducing aggression.
Expressing gratitude enhances well-being and family functioning, challenging traditional notions of cognitive engagement during sleep.
Deep dives
Understanding Humility and its Psychological Benefits
Humility is discussed in the podcast as an undervalued trait that can bring psychological benefits. Professor Daryl Van Tongering emphasizes the importance of humility in the world and suggests that humility needs a rebrand to showcase its positive impact. The discussion delves into the complexities of humility, highlighting its role in self-awareness, ego management, and consideration for others' well-being, ultimately advocating for a more humble approach in daily interactions.
The Impact of Humility on Relationships and Self-Perception
The podcast explores how practicing humility can lead to improved relationships and a healthier self-perception. By acknowledging that individuals are more than their beliefs, positions, or political affiliations, humility fosters psychological security and reduces the need for aggression or defensiveness. Embracing humility enables individuals to admit mistakes, promote understanding, and enhance interpersonal dynamics within families and workplaces.
Balancing Confidence and Humility for Success
The discussion highlights the significance of striking a balance between confidence and humility for personal and professional growth. Research mentioned suggests that effectively combining confidence with humility can lead to career advancements and increased attractiveness. Contrary to misconceptions, humility is shown to positively influence individuals' perceptions and desirability in social and dating contexts, reflecting the value of a balanced self-presentation.
The Psychological Effects of Gratitude and Consciousness During Sleep
Studies on gratitude and consciousness during sleep are explored in the podcast. The impact of expressing gratitude on well-being and family functioning is highlighted, emphasizing the benefits of cultivating positive emotions. Additionally, research challenges traditional notions of being disconnected during sleep, revealing that individuals can exhibit responsiveness and cognitive engagement while in a state of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, shedding light on new understandings of cognitive processes during sleep.
Humility is a quality often associated with self-deprecation. But by championing our achievements while also acknowledging our weaknesses, we could see benefits in many areas of our lives – and even increase our attractiveness. Claudia Hammond hears about this research from Daryl Van Tongeren, associate professor at Hope College in the US and author of ‘Humble: The Quiet Power of an Ancient Virtue’, who explores what a humbler world might look like.
Mental health is top of the agenda in many companies, though discussions about wellbeing might not be common practice amongst colleagues. But at Grundon Waste Management in Oxfordshire, these conversations are happening - from the tearoom to the workshops - thanks to a course designed by operational training manager, Tex. Claudia takes a trip to the facility to talk to Tex and his colleague Paul about how creating an open culture around mental health has improved their working environment.
Claudia is joined in the studio by Daryl O’Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Leeds. He shares some of the latest findings in neuroscience and psychology, including how expressing gratitude could help parental wellbeing, why suppressing negative thoughts might be a useful therapeutic technique and a look at how people can communicate while they're asleep using just their facial expressions.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Julia Ravey
Studio Manager: Tim Heffer
Production Co-ordination: Siobhan Maguire
Editor: Holly Squire
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