The Science of Happiness

We often underestimate how much small talk can impact our wellbeing. Research shows that even brief conversations with strangers can boost our happiness and sense of connection, but fear and anxiety often keep us from reaching out.
Summary: We often avoid talking to strangers because we assume they’d rather be left alone, or worry the interaction will be awkward. But research shows that our expectations about these interactions are often wrong. Even brief conversations can make us happier and more connected. On this episode of The Science of Happiness, learn how small choices like saying hello, asking a question, or offering a compliment can help us overcome our hesitation and create meaningful moments of connection.
How To Do This Practice:

Notice an opportunity: Throughout your day, look for moments when you’re near someone you don’t know—a person on public transit, in line at a coffee shop, or walking through your neighborhood.

Put away your phone: Create a little more space for connection by taking out your earbuds or putting your phone away, rather than using it to avoid interacting with the people around you.

Take the first step: When you notice an opportunity, say hello, introduce yourself, or ask a simple question. You don’t need the perfect opening—just get the conversation started.

Ask a follow-up question: Show genuine curiosity about the other person. Ask about something they’ve mentioned and let the conversation unfold naturally.

Share something about yourself: Connection goes both ways. Offer a little about your own experiences, interests, or perspective so the conversation becomes a two-way exchange.

Try it again: Pay attention to how you feel afterward, then look for another opportunity to connect. Treat it as an experiment and practice making small choices that bring you closer to the people around you.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.
Today’s Guests:
CHRIS FUJINAKA HEIN is a community organizer in the Bay Area and a coordinator at a Japanese cultural senior center.
NICHOLAS EPLEY is the John Templeton Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Faculty Director of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Learn more about Nicholas Epley here: https://www.nicholasepley.com/
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
Why Compassion Requires Vulnerability: https://tinyurl.com/mrxsad33
When It's Hard To Connect, Try Being Curious: https://tinyurl.com/mr32nwtv
Related Happiness Break episodes:
A Meditation on Original Love and Interconnectedness:https://tinyurl.com/mu2uzs2c
Our Deep Interconnectedness: https://tinyurl.com/y2epxyxn
Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Transcription:

Join yoga and meditation teacher Jonathan Relucio for a trauma-informed practice combining mindful movement and breathing to reduce tension and build resilience to stress.
How To Do This Practice: 

Get comfortable: Sit or lie down and notice the support beneath your body, keeping your eyes open or closed—whichever feels comfortable.

Connect with your body: Bring your attention inward and notice how your body, mind, and heart feel in the present moment.

Release tension: Inhale as you gently shrug your shoulders toward your ears, then exhale as you relax and release them.

Move with your breath: Inhale as you reach your arms overhead, then exhale as you gently bend from side to side, noticing the sensations in your body.

Breathe into your belly: Place one hand on your belly and notice it expand as you inhale and relax as you exhale, following the natural rhythm of your breath.

Pause and notice: Return to your natural breathing and take a moment to notice how your body and mind feel before continuing with your day.

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Today’s Happiness Break Guide:
JONATHAN RELUCIO is a trauma-informed yoga and meditation teacher with 20 years of experience in community organizing, social services, training, and leadership development.
Learn more about Jonathan here: https://www.jonathanrelucio.com/
Related Happiness Break episodes:
Embodying Resilience: https://tinyurl.com/3d2ma8tw
Visualizing Your Purpose: https://tinyurl.com/mwze59jx
The Healing Power of Your Own Touch: https://tinyurl.com/rrtpje2x
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
How To Feel Better About Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/3jave7h2
What To Do When Stress Takes Over: https://tinyurl.com/yxf3jawn
The Contagious Power of Compassion: https://tinyurl.com/y6bpvbv5
We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/3v9rapra

How can we feel more moments of joy? Explore how joy is rooted in connection, gratitude, and paying attention to the people and moments that bring meaning to our lives.
Summary: Did you know that joy isn’t just something we feel, but something we practice? On this episode of The Science of Happiness, poet Ross Gay shares how connection and attention can help us cultivate more joy, while psychologist Philip Watkins explains how gratitude can amplify that feeling. Learn how hanging out, noticing moments of connection, and reflecting on joyful experiences can help bring more joy into your life.
How To Do This Practice: 

Notice connection: Pay attention to the people, places, animals, and natural world that make you feel connected.

Make time to be together: Look for opportunities to hang out, share experiences, and spend time with others without an agenda.

Pay attention to the small moments: Notice everyday interactions and moments of goodness that you might otherwise overlook.

Share your joy: Tell someone about something that delights you, celebrate good moments together, or help someone else carry their joy.

Savor what feels good: When you experience joy, pause and let yourself fully appreciate and celebrate the moment.

Reflect with gratitude: Think or write about a joyful experience and what it meant to you or how it made you feel connected.

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Today’s Guests:
ROSS GAY is an award-winning American poet and author. His latest book explores the complexities of joy and its connection to feelings like gratitude and sorrow.
Learn more about Ross: https://www.rossgay.net/about
PHILIP WATKINS is a psychology professor at Eastern Washington University. He conducts research on different aspects of well-being including gratitude, happiness, and joy.
Learn more about Philip and his work: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/phil_watkins
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
How Joy Helps Save the Planet: https://tinyurl.com/2d5hjz9s
Are You Remembering the Good Times: https://tinyurl.com/ysbwrnr4
The Contagious Power of Compassion: https://tinyurl.com/y6bpvbv5
Related Happiness Break episodes:
Tap Into the Joy That Surrounds You: https://tinyurl.com/ykuz28za
How to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam: https://tinyurl.com/ybpuvuj6
The Unexpected Joy of Slow Looking: https://tinyurl.com/4uudwwc2
Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/2aext75x

Meditation teacher Spring Washam guides us in a practice of embodied awareness, helping us use the body as an anchor during stressful or overwhelming moments.
How To Do This Practice:

Find a comfortable position: Sit upright in a relaxed position where you can comfortably notice the flow of your breath.

Begin at the top of your body: Close your eyes and bring your attention to your head, neck, face, and jaw. Notice any tightness and allow those areas to soften.

Move your awareness downward: Slowly scan through your shoulders, arms, hands, chest, and belly, noticing any sensations, emotions, or areas where you may be holding tension.

Breathe into your belly: Place a hand below your belly button if it feels comfortable. Let your belly expand with each in-breath, and imagine releasing tension with every out-breath.

Feel your connection to the ground: Bring your attention to your sitting bones, legs, knees, and feet. Notice where your body makes contact with the chair, floor, or other surface, using those sensations to anchor yourself in the present moment.

Take in your whole body: Become aware of your body as a whole, returning to the breath whenever your mind wanders. To close, place a hand on your heart and offer yourself a wish for peace, happiness, and ease.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.
Today’s Happiness Break Guide:
SPRING WASHAM is a meditation teacher based in Oakland, California. She is also the author of the book, The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground. 
Learn more about Spring Washam here: https://www.springwasham.com/

Related Happiness Break episodes:
A Meditation to Find Grounding in the New Year, With Spring Washam: https://tinyurl.com/3tpasst9
How to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam: https://tinyurl.com/ybpuvuj6
The Healing Power of Your Own Touch: https://tinyurl.com/rrtpje2x
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
How To Feel Better About Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/3jave7h2
What To Do When Stress Takes Over: https://tinyurl.com/yxf3jawn
The Contagious Power of Compassion: https://tinyurl.com/y6bpvbv5
We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/2223k9b7

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.
Nigel says no matter where you are, everyone has a story to tell about a hug: good, bad, or awkward. Earlonne isn’t buying it. 
Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.
You can download the episode here and find the transcript here.