Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant

Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant

Author: Pushkin Industries January 4, 2021 Duration: 36:50

We often start a new year hoping to make big changes in how we look, feel or act. This can involve a lot of self-criticism and adopting things like tough diets and brutal exercise regimes. But being hard on ourselves doesn't deliver results.

Dr Laurie Santos examines why being a nasty drill sergeant to ourselves is less effective than being a kind coach; and hears from researcher and author Kristin Neff about why developing self-compassion is vital to helping us achieve our new year goals.

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We often chase after things we believe will bring us joy-the next promotion, a perfect vacation photo, a bigger house-only to find the feeling is fleeting. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos digs into the surprising psychology behind why our instincts about happiness are so frequently wrong. Dr. Santos, a Yale professor, doesn't just offer vague self-help advice; she translates the rigorous research from her record-breaking university course into practical, actionable science. Each episode feels like a personal conversation, where she breaks down complex studies and shares stories from people who've applied these lessons, revealing how counterintuitive changes in our daily routines and mindset can have a profound impact. This Pushkin Industries podcast moves beyond the surface of wellness trends, offering a grounded look at what genuinely improves our well-being across our social lives, personal health, and cultural expectations. Tuning in, you'll hear not just theory, but the tangible steps you can take to rewire your habits, backed by evidence that often contradicts our modern chase for more. It’s a refreshing take that makes the science of a better life accessible and genuinely useful, episode by episode.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 261

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Podcast Episodes
Decision Fatigue: The Psychology of Choice Overload [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:07
We tend to think having more options is better, but the science shows too many choices can drain mental energy, increase anxiety, and make us feel worse about making decisions, even when those decisions seem trivial. Dr.…
Don't Accentuate the Positive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:26
We often think positive thinking is the best way to achieve our ambitions - but the science shows it holds us all back. Dr Laurie Santos hears how champion swimmer Michael Phelps imagined the worst to help make his Olymp…
Why It's So Hard to Stop Intrusive Thoughts—And What Actually Helps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:48
How many times have you tried to suppress an unwanted thought, only to ruminate on it even more? Research shows that the brain reacts to attempts at thought suppression by repeatedly checking for the thought, making it s…
Caring What You're Sharing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:01
Sharing a good experience with another human deepens our enjoyment of the moment... but only if we abide by certain rules. Dr Laurie Santos shows us how we often get 'sharing' wrong and explains how we can all derive mor…
Mistakenly Seeking Solitude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:24
Technology allows us to bank, shop and dine without talking to another human, but what toll is this taking on our happiness? The inventor of the ATM and the Talking Heads singer David Byrne join Dr Laurie Santos to explo…
A Silver Lining [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
Ice skater Michelle Kwan was all set to win Olympic Gold... but in a major sporting upset she came second. Sharing her story with Dr Laurie Santos, Michelle lets us in on a key secret to achieving happiness when you're t…
The Unhappy Millionaire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:39
How can winning the lottery ruin your life - while contracting an incurable disease feel like 'a gift'? Dr Laurie Santos hears about dreams come true and nightmares realised; and talks with Dr Dan Gilbert about why human…
You Can Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
You can make yourself happier today. Your life circumstances and personality aren't nearly as important as you think in deciding how happy you can be. Dr Laurie Santos explains how understanding the latest science will p…
Coming Soon: The Happiness Lab Season One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:55
Do you want to be happier? Yale's Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the Ivy League psychology course…
Introducing: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21
Coming September 17 from Pushkin Industries Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.