Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and host of The Happiness Lab, unites the Titans of Happiness for a heartwarming exploration of mental wellness. Guests include bestselling author Gretchen Rubin and psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, who share practical strategies to combat loneliness and promote self-compassion. Elmo adds a playful touch, emphasizing connection and joy. The discussion also covers mindfulness techniques and the importance of being present, encouraging listeners to engage their senses and reduce tech distractions for better mental health.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Volunteering combats loneliness
Combat loneliness by volunteering.
It connects you with others, boosts self-worth, and promotes social interaction.
insights INSIGHT
Technology's deceptive connection
Technology creates a false sense of connection, masking actual social isolation.
Regularly assess screen time and prioritize in-person interactions.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Join groups
Join groups (birdwatching, book clubs, etc.) to combat loneliness.
Consistent interaction deepens relationships, crucial for happiness.
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In '10% Happier,' Dan Harris shares his personal journey of discovering the benefits of meditation. Initially a skeptic, Harris, a news anchor, found himself on a path of self-discovery after a nationally televised panic attack. He delves into the world of spirituality and self-help, encountering various figures including brain scientists, CEOs, and spiritual leaders. The book explores how meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being without compromising one's ambition or edge. Harris emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in making one more resilient and better equipped to handle life's challenges, though it does not eliminate problems entirely[2][4][5].
Life in Five Senses
How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World
Gretchen Rubin
In 'Life in Five Senses,' Gretchen Rubin delves into the mysteries and joys of the five senses as a means to achieve a happier, more mindful life. After realizing she had been overlooking her senses while studying happiness, Rubin embarked on a year-long experiment to heighten her senses and use her powers of perception to live a fuller life. Drawing on cutting-edge science, philosophy, literature, and personal experiences, she investigates how simple pleasures like appreciating ketchup and favorite songs, as well as more adventurous activities like daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, can enhance daily life. Rubin shows how tuning into the physical world can help individuals cheer up, calm down, and engage more deeply with their surroundings[2][3][5].
Chatter
The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It
Ethan Kross
In *Chatter*, Ethan Kross delves into the silent conversations we have with ourselves, examining how these internal dialogues shape our lives, work, and relationships. Kross, drawing from his own lab research and real-world case studies, explains how negative self-talk (referred to as 'chatter') can have detrimental effects on our health, mood, and social connections. However, he also provides tools and strategies to manage and harness this inner voice positively. These tools include techniques such as zooming out to gain perspective, using the second person to increase psychological distance, and leveraging the power of nature and placebos. The book is a comprehensive guide on how to transform negative self-talk into a constructive and supportive inner voice.
How to Break Up with Your Phone
Katherine Price
October 10th is World Mental Health Day - and to mark the event, Yale professor Dr Laurie Santos of The Happiness Lab podcast has assembled a crew of fellow hosts from the top wellness shows, a group we’re calling The Titans of Happiness.
Gretchen Rubin is the OG of wellbeing experts. She’s written many best-selling happiness books - most recently Life in Five Senses and hosts Happier with Gretchen Rubin.
Dan Harris was a TV news anchor who - after having a panic attack live on air - promoted mindfulness meditation practices on his hit show 10% Happier.
And since she wanted this to be an extra special episode, Dr Laurie invited one extra, extra special guest, Sesame Street’s Elmo. Elmo’s only three and half, so Samantha Maltin (Chief Branding and Marketing Officer at Sesame Workshop) came along with him.
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
