On this World Happiness Day special, Dr Laurie Santos talks with fellow podcasters about topics ranging from quieting inner monologue, running in winter misery, to happiness lessons from a colonoscopy. Dive into strategies for managing mental chatter, the power of self-compassion, and shaping happiness through endings. Explore joyful activities, sensory experiences, and finding happiness in the journey vs. destination
Recognize and control negative mental chatter for enhanced well-being and performance.
Practice distance self-talk and temporal distancing to reduce anxiety and improve self-kindness.
Understanding the distinction between experienced and remembered happiness can lead to engineering more enjoyable experiences and overall happiness.
Deep dives
Understanding Mental Chatter and Inner Dialogue
Mental chatter, as described by psychologist Ethan Cross, represents negative inner dialogue, causing worry, rumination, and self-criticism. This contrasts with the adaptive nature of inner dialogue that helps in planning and understanding the world. Recognizing the distinction helps in controlling negative chatter and being kinder to oneself, enhancing well-being and performance.
Strategies to Control Mental Chatter
One effective strategy to combat mental chatter is distance self-talk, where individuals refer to themselves in the second or third person, providing psychological distance from negative thoughts. This approach helps in being kinder to oneself, reducing anxiety, and improving performance. Temporal distancing is another method where individuals envision their future selves reflecting on current worries, promoting a shift in perspective and reducing emotional intensity.
Impact of Remembered Happiness on Well-being
Research by Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Danny Kahneman highlights the distinction between experienced and remembered happiness. People's memories of an experience are significantly influenced by how it concludes. A study on the duration of colonoscopies demonstrated that minor discomfort at the end could lead to a more positively remembered experience, altering individuals' perception of pain and leading to improved outcomes. Understanding this distinction can help in engineering more enjoyable remembered experiences and enhancing overall happiness.
Benefit of Mindfulness in Recognizing Emotional Experiences
Engaging in mindfulness practices helps individuals become more aware of their moment-to-moment emotional experiences. By being mindful, individuals can notice negative emotions and pay more attention to their present self, leading to better judgment. Mindfulness allows people to evaluate situations accurately, distinguishing between 'remembered happiness' and 'experienced happiness.' For instance, being mindful during challenging events helps individuals appreciate little positive aspects in their lives, even in difficult times.
Finding Satisfaction in the Journey and Destination
The podcast discusses the varying pleasure derived from the journey and destination in activities like running or cycling. The episode challenges the notion that 'it's the journey, not the destination,' highlighting the unique satisfaction found at the end goal. Participants share insights on enduring fulfillment experienced when overcoming challenges to reach a destination. By embracing both the journey and the destination, individuals can appreciate the different emotional states involved in activities, leading to deeper enjoyment and fulfillment.
The Happiness Lab’s Dr. Laurie Santos brings together other Pushkin hosts to mark the International Day of Happiness. Revisionist History’s Malcolm Gladwell talks about the benefits of the misery of running in a Canadian winter. Dr. Maya Shankar from A Slight Change of Plans talks about quieting her mental chatter. And Cautionary Tales host Tim Harford surprises everyone with the happiness lessons to be learned from a colonoscopy.
