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
Happiness Break: A Meditation for When Gratitude Feels Hard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:00
When gratitude feels distant, gently notice what’s here now— creating space for both heaviness and small moments of appreciation. How To Do This Practice: Get Comfortable: Sit upright or lie down. Whatever feels most sup…
Being Kind Is Good for Your Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:37
Doing good for others benefits our own minds and bodies, as well. We explore the science of kindness. Summary: On this episode of The Science of Happiness we explore how everyday acts of kindness strengthen our sense of…
Happiness Break: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:47
Explore a gentle practice for releasing resentment and finding freedom through forgiveness. How To Do This Practice: Prepare Your Space and Body: Find a quiet, safe place to sit and take slow, grounding breaths. Notice a…
The Science of Letting Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:05
Discover how forgiveness reshapes the brain, eases the body, and helps us move forward with greater compassion and freedom. Summary: Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting or excusing—it’s about releasing the grip of resentm…
How Rituals Keep Us Connected [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
We explore Día de los Muertos as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meaning, and helps us process grief while also connecting through shared joy. Summary: We investigate how Día de los Muertos, or Day of…
Happiness Break: How to Be Your Own Best Friend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:17
Show yourself real self-kindness in less than 10 minutes with this self-compassion break guided by psychologist Kristin Neff. How To Do This Practice: Identify what’s hard right now: Bring to mind a real situation that’s…
Why Our Brains Find Meaning in Random Patterns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:57
What happens when imagination meets perception, and ordinary objects come alive? We explore the science of pareidolia. Summary: Our minds are wired to find meaning, even in randomness— which is why sometimes we can see f…
Happiness Break: Six Minutes to Connect with Your Body, with Dacher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:50
Dedicating a little time to tune into your body fortifies you to better handle the stresses of daily life. How To Do This Practice: Find your space: Choose a quiet place where you feel safe and comfortable. You can sit,…
The Case for Hope, With Rebecca Solnit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
We explore how embracing uncertainty enables us to move beyond climate anxiety and despair to hope and action, with author and activist Rebecca Solnit. Summary: When you think about climate change, do you feel hope? In t…
Happiness Break: Finding Yourself in Silence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:26
Zen and mindfulness teacher Henry Shukman guides us in a meditation that invites us to listen deeply and find clarity in quiet. How To Do This Practice: Find Stillness: Sit comfortably in a quiet space. Close your eyes i…