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Mindful walking isn’t just a stroll—it’s a science-backed way to reduce, improve concentration, and soak in the beauty of your surroundings at the same time.
Meditation has proven benefits, but the style that works best depends on a person's habits and preferences. In this episode of The Science of Happiness, we explore walking meditation, a powerful practice for feeling more centered and grounded. Dan Harris, host of the award-winning 10% Happier podcast, shares how walking meditation helps him manage the residual stress and anxiety from years of war reporting and high-pressure TV anchoring. Then, Dr. Paul Kelly from the University of Edinburgh dives into the science, explaining how walking meditation can reduce stress, sharpen focus, and improve overall well-being.
Practice:
- Acknowledge the presence of your body.
- Acknowledge the thoughts and attitudes your mind is naturally thinking about.
- Acknowledge the nature around you.
- Repeat steps 1-3 in intervals.
Walking Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/29dnmndp
Today’s guests:
DAN HARRIS is a previous TV anchor and war reporter. He is a NYT best selling author with his book 10% Happier, and hosts a podcast by the same name. He’s one of the country’s best known proponents of meditation and he’s made walking meditation a regular practice for years to manage stress and anxiety.
DR. PAUL KELLY is a professor from the University of Edinburgh studying mindfulness. His studies focus on how meditation can reduce stress, sharpen focus, and improve overall well-being.
More episodes like this one:
The Healing Effects of Experiencing Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/yh238ekp
How To Unwind Doing Mindful Yard Work: https://tinyurl.com/4p7drusk
How to Use Your Body to Relax Your Mind: https://tinyurl.com/yckyft6t
Happiness Break like this one
Walk Your Way to Calm, with Dacher: https://tinyurl.com/mp5cptan
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Find Calm When You Can’t Clear Your Mind, With Lama Rod Owens: https://tinyurl.com/4ce353nu
Tell us about your experiences and struggles with achieving mindfulness. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.
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