Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-win...
Happiness Break: A Meditation on Original Love and Interconnectedness
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Cultivate a sense of original love — a universal connection that nurtures joy, safety, and belonging — with meditation teacher Henry Shukman.How to Do This Practice:
Find a comfortable position, either seated with a balanced, unsupported spine or resting back into support.
Sense the solidity of your body resting on the earth, recognizing your deep connection with it.
Observe the sounds around you, the sensations in your body, and any passing thoughts.
Remember that you are not separate. Your nervous system, your emotions, and even your breath are part of a vast, shared experience. You are connected not only to other humans but to all living beings.
Sense the loving quality in this awareness—an unconditional, foundational love that is always present.
If continuing, remain in stillness and deepen your awareness.
When finished, bring small movements into your body, breathe deeply, and return to your surroundings with a sense of connection and calm.
Today’s Happiness Break Guide:Henry Shukman, is a poet, mindfulness teacher, and author of Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening. Learn more about Shukman’s work: https://henryshukman.com/aboutOrder his book, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening: https://tinyurl.com/mwv5cuxrThis is part of our series The Science of Love, supported by The John Templeton Foundation.Related Happiness Break episodes:Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpmOur Deep Interconnectedness: https://tinyurl.com/jthxkpjdRelated Science of Happiness episodes:How Water Heals: https://tinyurl.com/utuhrnh3How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xcHow Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPodWe’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/ye6baxv3
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8:44
How 7 Days Can Transform Your Relationship
Scroll down for a transcription of this episodeFrom daily check-ins to meaningful compliments and planned dates nights, we explore a 7-day love challenge to help couples strengthen their relationships. Summary: Developed by renowned psychologists Julie and John Gottman. Based on decades of research, this week-long practice offers simple, actionable steps to deepen connection and nurture relationships. From meaningful check-ins and heartfelt compliments to the importance of touch, we uncover how small, intentional actions can create lasting bonds. Whether you're looking to reignite romance or strengthen your partnership, the 7-day love challenge provides practical tools to bring more love and connection into your life.Sign up for The Science of Happiness podcast's 7-Day Love Challenge to receive these science-backed practices delivered directly to your inbox at greatergood.berkeley.edu/7daylovechallengeThis is part of our series The Science of Love.More about the 7-day love challenge:Drs. John and Julie Gottman are psychologist and the co-founders of The Gottman Institute. They created this practiced based on decades of research studying over 3,000 couples.Check out their book, The Love Prescription, Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy: https://tinyurl.com/34nt5vv9This episode is supported by The John Templeton Foundation.Related The Science of Happiness episodes: Who’s Always There For You?: https://tinyurl.com/yt3ejj6wWhen It’s Hard to Connect, Try Being Curious: https://tinyurl.com/bde6wyu7Are Your Remembering The Good Times: https://tinyurl.com/483bkk2hRelated Happiness Breaks:Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5A Meditation on How to Be Your Best Self: https://tinyurl.com/3b38pw2fFollow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/bdh2ezhr
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25:47
Happiness Break: How to Awaken Joy, with Spring Washam
Scroll down for a transcription of this episodeCultivate more joy in your life with this practice led by meditation teacher and author Spring Washam.How to Do This Practice:
Reflect on an area of your life that brings you joy—whether it’s a small moment, an activity, or a connection.
Imagine experiencing that joyful moment. Feel the smiles, peace, and lightness it brings. Let yourself fully connect with the positive emotions.
As you reflect, silently say to yourself, “May my joy and my happiness increase.” Allow this intention to sink into your heart.
Bring to mind someone in your life who is experiencing happiness or success. Picture them in their joyful state.
In your mind, say to them, “May your joy and happiness increase.” Or, “I’m happy for your happiness. May your happiness continue.”
Remind yourself that joy is limitless, like the stars in the universe. Celebrating the joy of others enhances your own happiness.
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 and her new book: https://www.springwasham.com/Follow Spring on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/springwasham/Check out Spring’s YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/22njyd29Related Happiness Break episodes:
Tap into the Joy That Surrounds You: https://tinyurl.com/2pb8ye9x
Wishing Others’ Well, With Anushka Fernandopulle: https://tinyurl.com/jrkewjs8
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
Where to Look for Joy: https://tinyurl.com/5n7thrh4
Are You Remembering the Good Times: https://tinyurl.com/483bkk2h
Why We Should Seek Beauty: https://tinyurl.com/yn7ry59j
Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/a6shdsae
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10:07
How Awe Helps You Navigate Life's Challenges
We explore how embracing awe can uplift caregivers, providing tools to nurture themselves while nurturing others.Sign up for our Caring for Caregivers Newsletter!Join our newsletter community by providing your information below and we'll send you 4 research-backed podcast episodes and articles on how to nurture well-being and build stronger caregiver-child relationships over the next year… For free! Summary: This week on The Science of Happiness, we explore how moments of awe can transform caregiving. By incorporating awe through music, nature, and shared experiences, Noam Osband and Devora Keller found ways to refresh themselves and foster connection within their two young children. Their stories illuminate the impact of awe on parenting and caretaking, and the importance of intentionally cultivating wonder to enhance caregiving and strengthen bonds.This episode was supported by the Van Leer Foundation, an independent Dutch organisation working globally to foster inclusive societies where all children and communities can flourish. To discover more insights from Van Leer Foundation and others on this topic, visit Early Childhood Matters, the leading platform for advancing topics on early childhood development and connecting diverse voices and ideas across disciplines that support the wellbeing of babies, toddlers and caregivers around the globe.Related The Science of Happiness episodes: The Science of Awe (3 episode series): https://tinyurl.com/3jz8rnevAre You Following Your Inner Compass: https://tinyurl.com/y2bh8vvjThe Healing Effects of Experiencing Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/bde5av4zThe Value of Variety and Novelty: https://tinyurl.com/3rm58m3eRelated Happiness Breaks:A Walking Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/mwbsen7aA Meditation on Becoming a Gift to Life: https://tinyurl.com/3et7rz4pToday’s Guests: NOAM OSBAND is a radio producer and anthropologist whose work explores themes of culture, identity, and human connection.DEVORA KELLER is a physician with a decade of experience building and leading transitional care programs in the safety net. She is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine.Tell us about your experiences and struggles with compassionate listening. Email us at [email protected] or follow on Instagram @ScienceOfHappinessPod.Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscript: https://tinyurl.com/2466rnm4
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23:26
Happiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire Awe in the New Year
A meditation to cultivate a sense of awe by focusing on new beginnings -- whether it’s a budding plant, a new friendship, or a recent moment of wonder.How to Do This Practice:
Find a quiet, comfortable space. Sit or lie down, close your eyes if you wish, and take deep breaths to center yourself.
Bring your awareness to the present moment—notice your breath, body sensations, and surroundings without judgment.
Reflect on new beginnings in your life. Picture meeting someone new and feeling curiosity about their stories, recall a moment of awe, like hearing a piece of music that moved you, imagine the growth of a budding plant, reaching for the light.
Focus on a recent moment of awe that touched you. Notice how it feels in your body and let the sensations linger.
When ready, gently open your eyes and carry this renewed sense of wonder into your day.
Today’s Happiness Break Host:Dacher Keltner is the host of The Science of Happiness podcast and is a co-instructor of the Greater Good Science Center’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share The Science of Happiness! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscript: https://tinyurl.com/3pdp8nky
Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing on the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. Follow us on Instagram @HappinessPod.
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