Happy Enough

What makes you happier: giving someone $20 or spending it on yourself? The results might surprise you. In this episode, we discuss how giving and generosity affect happiness for individuals and for society as a whole. Garvia speaks with Lara Aknin, a distinguished professor at Simon Fraser University and an editor of the World Happiness Report.

 

 

 

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Anger seems to be the collective vibe these days, whether we’re talking about politics, scrolling through social media or reading headlines. Outrage can be harmful or violent. But used correctly, experts say it can be a tool that leads to long-term happiness. Garvia speaks with Brett Ford, associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, about how we can manage our anger and, hopefully, feel a little bit happier.

 

 

 

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Everyone these days is talking about the microbiome, the trillions of bacteria that live in our gut and help regulate our physical health. But what about our happiness? Recent studies show how this gut-brain connection can directly affect our moods, our anxiety levels and our sense of well-being. Garvia speaks with Dr. Mary Sco, a Toronto-based family doctor with a PhD in nutritional sciences, about what’s going on in our guts and how changes to nutrition can affect our wellbeing. 

 

 

 

 

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Psychedelics, substances like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms that cause altered states of consciousness, often remind people of hippies in the 1960s. But more researchers are looking into their potential benefits for our well-being. Scientists say psychedelics – which are illegal for recreational use in Canada – could have massive implications on how we treat and heal from major mental health disorders like PTSD, depression and anxiety. Garvia speaks with Dr. Monnica Williams, clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Ottawa, where she is the co-director of the new master’s program in psychedelics and consciousness studies. They discuss the latest research and whether psychedelics will, and should, become mainstream. 

 

 

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The Globe’s podcast about happiness is back for season two. Join host Garvia Bailey each week as she speaks with both experts and real people to demystify our pursuit of happiness. This season, we’ll dive into the latest research on psychedelics and mental health, how what you eat can affect your mood, and how feeling a bit of rage can actually be good for your happiness. Season two of Happy Enough launches on September 23rd. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Tips to be happier often read like a self-help menu: make friends, meditate, spend time in nature. But governments are increasingly looking at happiness as a collective goal. There’s even a ‘World Happiness Report’ that ranks well-being across nations. A decade ago Canada ranked fifth in the report, but over the last 10 years has slipped to 18th. Garvia speaks with Felix Cheung, who worked as a researcher on the Canadian and World Happiness report, and is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. They discuss why our collective happiness matters, the decline in youth happiness, and how our society can improve everyone’s well-being. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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For decades, economists have studied the question of whether getting richer makes you happier – and exactly how much money tips the scales. In the world happiness rankings, richer societies tend to fare better than poorer ones, and within societies richer people do, in fact, report being happier. However surprising new research reveals that people in non-industrialized communities are just as satisfied as people in the richest countries. Garvia speaks with McGill University associate professor Chris Barrington-Leigh about the study he co-authored and what it reveals about our society’s push for more money. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Meditation, a practice that can calm your mind, has been around for thousands of years. Science shows it can help people feel happier. Yet many people feel resistant to meditation – like it’s not for them, or that they don’t have the time for it. Garvia speaks with Jeff Warren, a meditation teacher and practitioner who writes the daily meditations on the Calm app. They discuss how Jeff got into meditation to help his mental health, what meditation is, how it helps quiet unproductive thoughts and how you – the skeptical, busy person with a mile-long to-do list – can start incorporating it into your happiness practice. Find some of Jeff’s free meditations at www.homebasewithjeff.com and his podcast, The Mind Bod Adventure Pod, at www.mindbodpod.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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This week, Garvia gets some crowd-sourced wisdom from people nominated by loved ones as ‘the happiest people in Canada’ for a recent Globe and Mail feature. They live across the country, in cities and rural areas. They include toddlers and seniors, men and women, and people who have been through extremely hard times. She speaks with Erin Anderssen, The Globe and Mail’s happiness reporter, about these happy people and checks in with the nominees themselves to discuss how to live a happier life. Who are these happy people living among us? And can they let us in on their secrets? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Most of us need technology for work and for play. The internet and our phones can help us maintain our social connections – and we know those are key to happiness. But many people are addicted to these tools in a way that’s decidedly not making us happier. Mindless scrolling, constant comparisons and the avalanche of bad news can leave us feeling numb, disconnected and anxious. So how do we strike the balance of using technology without it negatively impacting our mood? Garvia speaks with happiness researcher Dr. Gillian Mandich about our relationship with technology and how to manage it to maintain our well-being - including how much screen time is too much and why younger generations are having an even harder time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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