The Science of Happiness17 Apr 2025

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/2kr4fjz5

A Meditation on Original Love: https://tinyurl.com/5u298cv4

Wishing Others’ Well, With Anushka Fernandopulle: https://tinyurl.com/jrkewjs8

Related Science of Happiness episodes:

Are You Remembering the Good Times: https://tinyurl.com/483bkk2h

Why Friendships Matter More Than We Think: https://tinyurl.com/y99tc9nm

Why We Should Seek Beauty: https://tinyurl.com/yn7ry59j

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/5xmfkf73

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(349)

Happiness Break: A Practice In Moving Through Stress

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: Ge...

20 Aug 8min

Where To Look For Joy

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 i...

13 Aug 15min

Happiness Break: A Body Scan for Calm and Ease

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 comfortab...

6 Aug 10min

Ear Hustle Podcast: Corny-Ass Episode

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 mem...

5 Aug 43min

Why You Can’t Do It Alone

Can anyone truly succeed alone? We explore how role models, mentors, and strong social support make upward mobility far more possible than grit alone.Summary: What role do the people around us play in...

30 Jul 20min

Happiness Break: Holding Truth With Compassion

Take a moment to connect with your body and make space for difficult emotions with compassion and care. This embodiment practice is guided by Lyla June Johnston, a Diné musician, scholar of Indigenous...

23 Jul 10min

Why Revenge Feels So Good—and Why It Hurts Us

Neuroscience reveals revenge can become a powerful habit—and that forgiveness may be one of the most effective ways to break the cycle.Summary: After years of bullying led him to almost committing an ...

16 Jul 23min

Happiness Break: A Meditation to Move Through Anger

Try a practice in accepting difficult feelings like anger or irritation to help keep your cool, feel better overall, and find calm with contemplative social scientist Eve Ekman. How To Do This Practic...

9 Jul 7min