Happiness is the subject of thousands of articles, podcasts, and scientific studies. Yet all this focus on happiness doesn't seem to be making people any happier. In fact, the more they try to be happy, especially by fighting to get rid of bad feelings and cling to good ones, the more unhappy people often become.My guest would say that the first step in escaping this negative cycle is redefining what happiness even means — thinking of it not as a state of feeling good but of doing good.His name is Russ Harris and he's a therapist and the author of The Happiness Trap.Today on the show, Russ explains how struggling against difficult feelings and thoughts just makes them stronger — amplifying instead of diminishing stress, anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness — and how simply obeying your emotions doesn't work out any better. He then unpacks the alternative approach to happiness espoused by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. With ACT, you allow both hard and pleasant feelings to coexist, and unhook from the latter so that they no longer jerk you around. This allows you to focus on taking action on your values to create a meaningful, flourishing life, or in other words, real happiness.Resources Related to the EpisodeAoM Podcast #614: Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life With the Founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Steven HayesAoM Article: From Overwhelmed to Empowered — How Labeling Your Emotions Can Help You Take ControlConnect With Russ HarrisRuss' Website

Join Dr. Russ Harris, one of Australia's leading experts in acceptance and commitment therapy, as he shares insights on navigating mental health challenges. He introduces the 'Happiness Trap' cards for boosting self-esteem and overcoming intrusive thoughts. Discover practical tools for embracing emotions, finding stability during turmoil, and the concept of 'urge surfing' for emotional management. Russ also explores the relationship between love and pain, emphasizing vulnerability for deeper connections. This discussion promises to reshape your views on happiness and self-acceptance!

Russ Harris, author of ACT with Love, joins us to discuss acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and relationships. Russ is an internationally acclaimed ACT trainer, and author of the best-selling ACT-based self-help book, The Happiness Trap, which has sold more than one million copies and been published in thirty languages. He is widely renowned for his ability to teach ACT in a way that is simple, clear, and fun—yet extremely practical. Visit our website at www.newharbinger.com and use coupon code 'Podcast25' to receive 25% off your entire order. Buy the Book:   New Harbinger - https://bit.ly/3kw9CGg   Amazon - https://a.co/d/jbLihrG Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1013904985 IndieBound - https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781648481635

In episode 328 I chat with Dr Russ Harris. Russ is a medical practitioner, author of the international best-selling self-help book ‘The Happiness Trap’ (as well as nine others), and is a world-renowned trainer of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT).  We discuss his book The Happiness Trap, the new second edition of the book, how ACT can help reduce rumination, Russ’s view of rumination, noticing and interrupting rumination during an exposure, he discusses the exercise dropping anchor, he guides us through dropping anchor live on the podcast, learning to make space for uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, we discuss learning to urge surf, how to stop techniques becoming compulsions, Russ shares personal examples of himself putting some of this into practice, words of hope and much more. Hope it helps.   Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/russ-harris-328 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers affordable, effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans, if they currently take your insurance, or to download their free app, head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Please Support The Show With a Donation   This week we talk to Russ Harris Russ Harris is a medical practitioner, psychotherapist, and leading expert in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). His books include ACT with Love, ACT Made Simple, The Confidence Gap, and The Happiness Trap, which has now been translated into twenty-two languages. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and travels internationally to train mental health professionals in the ACT approach. In This Interview, Russ Harris and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable Getting the wolves to cooperate and not battle Embracing even our most difficult feelings The Reality Slap and the Reality Gap An overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) The Serenity Challenge How we always have a chance to improve our situation  Taking the action that is needed regardless of what we feel What "psychological flexibility" is Cognitive defusion techniques Recognizing that are thoughts are not facts Asking the question "Is this thought useful"? Noticing and Naming our thoughts and feelings "The Greatest Hits" approach The "I'm not good enough" story" "I'm having the thought that" de-fusion method The artificial distinction between thoughts and emotions The Struggle Switch         Please Support The Show with a DonationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russ Harris debunks myths about happiness and explains the importance of facing negative emotions for long-term happiness. He emphasizes defining values for a rich and meaningful life, tackling challenges with awareness, and translating values into goals to avoid stagnation.

Dr. Russ Harris, renowned author of "The Happiness Trap" and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, brings a fresh perspective on imposter syndrome. He explores how this common feeling is simply part of the human experience, rather than a flaw. Harris discusses accepting rather than suppressing these emotions and offers effective coping strategies. He dives into the evolutionary roots of self-doubt and anxiety, framing them as universal challenges we all face. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their feelings with self-compassion.

Steven Hayes, a leading psychologist and co-founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, teams up with Russ Harris, a physician and ACT expert, to explore the art of defusing from negative thoughts. They discuss practical techniques for managing intrusive thoughts, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness. Alignment with personal values emerges as a key theme, offering a roadmap for living more authentically. Tune in for insightful strategies that encourage a life grounded in awareness and fulfillment.

Join Marsha Linehan, creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, alongside mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy founders Steven Hayes and Russ Harris. They delve into the critical differences between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The discussion emphasizes transforming our relationship with thoughts over merely changing their content. Listeners are inspired to observe their thoughts and act in alignment with their best selves for greater healing and well-being.

Dr. Russ Harris, author of 'The Happiness Trap', shares his journey from medicine to therapy and his work in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Topics include using pain for growth, dangers of toxic positivity, trauma-focused interventions in refugee camps, and future goals in ACT and beyond.