The Science of Happiness

• Happiness Break: Making Space for You, with Alex Elle

  Consider what you want to make space for in your life in this 6-minute contemplation guided by Alex Elle.  Find a quiet place, settle your body, and reflect on where you want more clarity or ease in your life. Breathe deeply, filling your belly on each inhale and softening your body on each exhale. Notice the fears, doubts, or stresses you’re carrying and gently commit to letting them go. Pick one phrase from the meditation that speaks to you most deeply (e.g., In the presence of chaos, I will make space for inner peace). Write it down on a sticky note and place it somewhere visible to keep the intention alive throughout your day. Close your practice by offering yourself grace, trusting that making space takes time and patience. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today’s Happiness Break host:ALEX ELLE is a breathwork coach, author and restorative writing teacher.Learn more about Alex here: https://www.alexelle.com/aboutFollow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_elle/Follow Alex on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@easewithalexRelated Happiness Break episodes:Who Takes Care of You: https://tinyurl.com/5xmfkf73Take a Break With Our Loving-Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5A Meditation on Original Love: https://tinyurl.com/5u298cv4Related Science of Happiness episodes:How to Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xcHow Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xcWe love hearing from you! Tell us about your experience of holding silence. Email us at [email protected] or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/yk6nfnfv

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  6:02
• What Humans Can Learn From Trees (Encore)

  Trees aren’t just competing for sunlight and soil—they’re also looking out for one another. Scientist Suzanne Simard reveals the unexpected ways trees communicate, share resources, and support us.Summary: We dive into what we can learn from the neural networks of forests, evolution and cooperation, and how trees are a fundamental solution to the climate crises we are facing today with ecologist Suzanne Simard. She also shares her forest gratitude practice and invites us to reflect on what it means to feel a sense of belonging in the forest. How To Do This Practice: Go to a forest or natural space, ideally near yew trees or other trees you feel connected to. Sit quietly, even if you're tired or unwell, and allow yourself to simply be there. Acknowledge the presence and life of the trees around you. Offer your gratitude to the trees—for their medicine, their strength, or simply their being. If you're with loved ones, invite them to join in the gratitude. Feel the connection between yourself, the trees, and your companions. Return to this practice as often as you can, letting the forest remind you that you're not alone. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today’s Guests: DR. SUZANNE SIMARD is a professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and the author of Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest. Read her book here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfy463zRelated The Science of Happiness episodes:  How Water Heals: https://tinyurl.com/utuhrnh3Experience Nature Wherever You Are, with Dacher (Encore): https://tinyurl.com/aj34s585The Healing Effects of Experiencing Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/49pkk6euRelated Happiness Breaks:How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpmPause to Look at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/4jttkbw3A Walking Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/mwbsen7aTell us about your experience connecting with nature. Email us at [email protected] or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.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/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/yvrd9jje

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  17:50
• Happiness Break: Who Takes Care of You?

  When we feel cared for, our cortisol levels drop, we feel safe, and we handle stress better. Dacher leads a meditation to help us focus on the people who make us feel supported.How To Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Find a quiet spot. Sit or stand in a relaxed position. Take a few deep breaths to settle your body and mind. Think of a Friend: Picture a friend who has supported you. Notice how it feels to remember their care. What have they given you? Kindness, courage, laughter? Think of a Family Member: Now think of someone in your family (or chosen family) who’s helped you. What moment comes to mind? How did they support you? Name what they gave you. Think of a Mentor: Bring to mind a mentor or guide—someone who’s taught or encouraged you. How did they help you grow? What gift did they offer? Wisdom, strength, direction? Feel the Support: Picture all three people around you. Let yourself feel supported and held. Breathe in that sense of connection. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Related Happiness Break episodes:Take a Break With Our Loving-Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5A Meditation on Original Love: https://tinyurl.com/5u298cv4Wishing Others’ Well, With Anushka Fernandopulle: https://tinyurl.com/jrkewjs8Related Science of Happiness episodes:Are You Remembering the Good Times: https://tinyurl.com/483bkk2hWhy Friendships Matter More Than We Think: https://tinyurl.com/y99tc9nmWhy We Should Seek Beauty: https://tinyurl.com/yn7ry59jFollow 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: 

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• Issa Rae on Friendships That Need to Go, from IMO

  Sharing a new show from my friends at Higher Ground, hosted by Michelle Obama, called IMO. You know on Science of Happiness, we have conversations filled with compassion and empathy, and share research-backed strategies for a more fulfilled life. Similarly on IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson bring candid perspectives to the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and plenty of laughs. Topics range from dating and relationships, to family and faith. Michelle and Craig share stories about being there for each other throughout their lives, from first crushes and fraught college years, to landing at the White House, to losing their mom. For six decades they’ve been each others’ most trusted counsel—and now, they want to be that counsel for you. In this episode, they’re joined by actress Issa Rae for a conversation about navigating the challenges of mismatched expectations in female friendships.You can find more episodes of IMO at https://lnk.to/imomichellecrai...Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/bddahkjb

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  1:00:16
• Why Going Offline Might Save Us

  What happens when we replace sky-gazing with screen-scrolling? Discover how digital life impacts happiness and what Gen Z can teach us about reclaiming control over our well-being.Summary: Smartphones have become our constant companions, but at what cost? This episode of The Science of Happiness explores how our digital lives are reshaping how we think, feel, and connect. From social media’s pull to the decline of face-to-face connection, we look at what we lose—and what we can regain—by stepping away from screens and into nature, quiet, and deeper connections.Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Ways To Do A Digital Detox:  Turn off your phone before bed to improve sleep and create space from screens. Wait to turn it on in the morning, noticing how you feel and stretching that screen-free time. Do meaningful work before going online to protect your focus and creativity. Keep notifications silenced unless you're expecting something urgent. Turn off WiFi and browsers when you need to concentrate deeply. Take regular breaks from screens to let ideas simmer and rest your mind. Practice reading books again and notice your attention span strengthen over time. Pause when you crave scrolling, and consider reaching out to a friend instead. Create your own digital detox plan or adapt one that works for you. Be sure to clearly write out your specific intentions, including how and when you'll follow through. Today’s Guests:ADAM BECKER is an astrophysicist and author of the book, More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade To Control The Fate Of Humanity.Learn more about Adam Becker here: http://freelanceastrophysicist.com/JEAN TWENGE is a psychologist and best-selling author. She’s spent years studying how the digital world shapes our minds and bodies, and the way different generations experience life.Learn more about Jean Twenge here: https://www.jeantwenge.com/Related The Science of Happiness episodes:  ​​Experience Nature Wherever You Are, with Dacher (Encore): https://tinyurl.com/aj34s585How Exploring New Places Can Make You Feel Happier: https://tinyurl.com/4ufn2tpnWhy We Should Look up at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/mpn9vj2tRelated Happiness Breaks:How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpmTap into the Joy That Surrounds You: https://tinyurl.com/2pb8ye9xPause to Look at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/4jttkbw3Tell us about your experience with taking a break from technology. Email us at [email protected] or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.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/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/e7rhsakj

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  22:22

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