Happiness Break: A Walking Meditation With Dan Harris of 10% Happier

Happiness Break: A Walking Meditation With Dan Harris of 10% Happier

Author: PRX and Greater Good Science Center May 28, 2026 Duration: 7:00
Trouble sitting still? Learn to practice meditating by simply walking in this practice guided by 10% Happier host Dan Harris. How To Do This Practice: Start walking at a comfortable pace in a place where you can move without rushing. Notice your body moving by paying attention to your feet, legs, and arms as you walk. Tune into your senses by observing sounds, sights, temperature, and other details around you. Notice when your mind wanders into planning, worrying, or distractions. Gently return your attention to the sensations of walking and your surroundings each time you drift away. Keep walking with curiosity and allow yourself to stay present without needing to do it perfectly. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.  Today’s Happiness Break Guide: DAN HARRIS the host of 10% Happier, a podcast about mindfulness and other practices and thoughts that can support our well-being. Check out Dan’s podcast, 10% Happier: https://tinyurl.com/324xtuut Related Happiness Break Episodes: Moving Through Space, With Dacher Keltner: https://tinyurl.com/5f58jp42 Walk Your Way to Calm, with Dacher: https://tinyurl.com/y8md2759 Making Space For You: https://tinyurl.com/yc42s6mv Related Science of Happiness Episodes:  How To Focus Under Pressure: https://tinyurl.com/3hpah4ss How to Find Calm Through Walking: https://tinyurl.com/43dr26re How To Do Good For The Environment (And Yourself): https://tinyurl.com/26msewb8 We love hearing from you! Tell us about your experiences with mindful walking. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Find us on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus Help us share Happiness Break! Rate us and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/6s39rzus Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/9n5xu96e

What if the things that make life feel worthwhile aren't just abstract ideas, but observable, measurable phenomena? That's the territory explored in The Science of Happiness. Each episode moves beyond simple self-help platitudes, grounding itself in the concrete research from psychology and neuroscience. Hosted by the insightful Dacher Keltner, a psychologist whose work often centers on these very emotions, the conversations feel both authoritative and deeply human. You'll hear from people who are actively testing out specific, research-backed practices-from cultivating compassion to finding moments of genuine awe-and then discussing the real, sometimes messy results. This isn't about a constant state of cheer; it's about understanding the building blocks of a resilient and meaningful existence. The podcast, a co-production of PRX and the Greater Good Science Center, translates academic findings into accessible stories and actionable insights. Tuning in feels less like receiving a lecture and more like sitting in on a fascinating experiment about our shared human condition, one where the data points are moments of connection, gratitude, and personal discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Science of Happiness
Podcast Episodes
How to Keep Your Humanity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:17
Discover what happens to our well-being when we respond to suffering with compassion, collective action, and why choosing to care can help us hold on to our shared humanity. Summary: In the face of widespread suffering,…
Happiness Break: Finding Calm in Uncertainty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:58
Psychologist and stress expert Elissa Epel leads us in a gentle, science-backed practice to calm our nervous systems and meet uncertainty with greater ease and acceptance. We want to hear from you! Take our quick 5-minut…
How Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:09
Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over 4,000 years. Summary: After a period of intense stress, loss, a…
Happiness Break: An Affirmation Practice for the New Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:04
This New Year, affirm the wonderful qualities you already possess with this meditative writing practice with Chris Murchison called "I Am." How To Do This Practice: Settle your body and breath: Find a comfortable seat. C…
How Stories Shape Belonging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:18
Learn how the stories we tell and hear shape our relationships, values, and sense of belonging. Summary: Storytelling is more than entertainment. It shapes how we think, feel, and relate to others. In this episode of The…
Happiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire a Sense of Purpose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:17
Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them. You can also listen to this episode in Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/4rjmambm How To Do This Practice:…
The Power of a Collective Pause [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
Explore how students are using simple mindful breathing practices to navigate stress, stay grounded, and support their classmates. Summary: Classrooms often are confronted with difficult topics that can leave students ov…
Happiness Break: How Connecting With Ancestors Deepens Belonging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:07
Through a gentle ancestral meditation, discover how grounding in your roots can open the door to healing, meaning, and a deeper sense of belonging. How To Do This Practice: Settle Into Your Body: Notice whether you’re si…
How to Feel Better About Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:21
Self-compassion reduces our feelings of shame and self-doubt. We explore a practice to help quiet our inner critic with kindness. Summary: What does your inner critic sound like? Many of us carry echoes of past misunders…