Happiness is tricky. Poets, philosophers, and musicians have written about this emotion throughout history, yet most of us would struggle to define it if asked. In fact, psychologists and other mental health professionals often abandon the topic for pathology. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Yael and Tal Ben-Shahar, happiness expert and author of the best-selling book, Happier, discuss happiness and what it means to be happy in today’s world. Pause a moment and take inventory of your emotions. What shows up? What’s missing? Join us in this episode, and take a step toward embracing and making room for all of your emotions today! Listen and Learn: About how Debbie first came to know Tal Yael and Debbie’s happiness hacks and the practices they use to build happiness in their busy livesHappiness expert Tal’s definition of happinessThe differences between well-being and pleasureWhy it might be important to make room for all types of experiences (even the negative ones!)How Tal’s life experiences have informed his work in the field of happinessPractical advice for teaching your kids how to embrace and make room for uncomfortable emotionsTal’s wisdom for choosing your responses in uncomfortable situationsOn-the-ground practices you can use to build happiness into your busy lifeTal’s evidence-based thoughts on perfectionists, optimists, and performance-based happinessAbout the most influential books Tal has read in the past year Resources: It's Okay That Your’e Not Ok (Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand) by Megan Devine The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does by Sonja LyubomirskyTal’s personal book recommendations: Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Dr. Nathaniel Branden, and The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle About Tal Ben-Shahar: Tal Ben-Shahar is an author and lecturer. He taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history, Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. Today, Tal consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations. The topics he lectures on include leadership, happiness, education, innovation, ethics, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages, and have appeared on best-sellers lists around the world. Tal is a serial entrepreneur, and is the co-founder and chief learning officer of Happiness Studies Academy, Potentialife, Maytiv, and Happier.TV. An avid sportsman, Tal won the U.S. Intercollegiate and Israeli National squash championships. Today, for exercise, he swims, dances, and practices Yoga. He obtained his PhD in Organizational Behavior and BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard Book Giveaway! POTC is doing another book giveaway, this on e accompanying Yael’s interview with happiness guru, Tal Ben-Shahar. You can enter the drawing for a free copy of his inspirational book, Choose the Life You Want: The Mindful Way to Happiness, by: Going to Instagram and locate, like, and SAVE the giveaway postIf you don't yet follow us, please do!For an EXTRA entry, share the post to your Instagram story and tag @offtheclockpsych Related Episodes Episode 2. Hygge – Happiness and the Danish Art of Cozy ConnectionEpisode 48. Practical Wisdom with Barry SchwartzEpisode 97. The New Happiness with Matthew McKayEpisode 85. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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