logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2022
7m 5s

Happiness Break: Experience Nature Where...

PRX AND GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER
About this episode

Just a few moments of tuning into nature can make you feel more inspired, connected, and less lonely. Let us guide you through a five-minute noticing nature practice — you don't even have to leave the city.

Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ac4h4uc4

How to Do This Practice:

  1. Pause and take notice of the natural elements around you, like trees, clouds, leaves, moving water, animals, bugs and butterflies, etc. Take a moment to allow yourself to truly experience the nature around you, and notice what emotions this evokes.

  2. When you encounter something that moves you in some way, take a mental photo of it. In a few words or sentences, jot down a brief description of what caught your attention and how it made you feel.

  3. Try to repeat this every day for at least two weeks.

  4. Remember: The key is your experience with what you are noticing—how nature makes you feel.

Find the full Noticing Nature practice at our Greater Good in Action website: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/noticing_nature

More resources from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center:

Tell us about your experiences noticing nature by emailing us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or using the hashtag #happinesspod.

Find us on Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/28hcdfsd

Help us share Happiness Break!

Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: pod.link/1340505607


We're living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout — we all could use a break to feel better. That's where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more — what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.

Up next
Jul 10
Happiness Break: Smiling From The Inside Out
Just a soft smile and a few minutes of breath can shift your mood, lower stress, and deepen your sense of connection.How To Do This Practice: Settle In: Find a comfortable seat, rest your hands gently, and soften your gaze or close your eyes. Breathe and Soften: Take a few slow, ... Show More
5m 31s
Jul 3
How Parks Keep Us Connected
From childhood adventures to post-trauma recovery, explore how our parks support our well-being— and why access to them matters.Summary: Nature has long been a source of wonder, healing, and connection. But access to those green spaces—from neighborhood parks to national treasure ... Show More
17m 6s
Jun 26
Happiness Break: Embodying Resilience, With Prentis Hemphill
What if you could tap into your inherent resilience at any time? Prentis Hemphill guides a meditation to turn good memories into a state of resilience.How To Do This Practice: Get Comfortable in Your Body: Find a position, seated, standing, or lying down, that feels right. Move, ... Show More
9m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Meditation: Nature's Healing Touch
Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> http ... Show More
25m 17s
Dec 2022
This Scientist Says One Emotion Might Be the Key to Happiness. Can You Guess What It Is? | Dacher Keltner
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Our guest today is one of the most prominent happiness researchers in the world, and he has come to the conclusion that living the good life boils down to on ... Show More
1h 3m
Jul 2024
Tranquility in Nature, Day 1: "Healing Through Nature: The Art of Forest Bathing"
Embark on a transformative journey with our meditation series, "Healing Through Nature: The Art of Forest Bathing." Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature through guided meditations designed to restore vitality, reduce stress, and foster deep connection with the natural ... Show More
35 m
Mar 2023
The New Science of Awe & How It Improves Your Physical & Mental Wellbeing with Dr Dacher Keltner #340
When was the last time you felt awe? Perhaps it’s an emotion you notice often, evoked by the trees, clouds, or people around you. Or maybe it’s something you associate with more dramatic, less frequent experiences. Dr Dacher Keltner, has written a sublime book on the subject of a ... Show More
1h 55m
Sep 2023
Affirmation: I Am One With Mother Nature
Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> http ... Show More
9m 41s
Feb 2023
Happiness 2.0: The Reset Button
Many of us rush through our lives, chasing goals and just trying to get everything done. But that can blind us to a very simple source of joy that's all around us. This week, in the final installment of our Happiness 2.0 series, psychologist Dacher Keltner describes what happens ... Show More
55m 27s
Feb 2024
One Mental State that will Accelerate Your Learning & Healing with Dacher Keltner
How can you cultivate more awe into your daily life? On the spectrum of emotion, awe is probably one of the most elusive and misunderstood. It’s easy to feel awe when you encounter the wonders of nature, a piece of powerful music or art, or have a deeply spiritual experience. But ... Show More
20m 37s
Apr 2024
Babbling Brook Sounds: 2 Hours of Nature's Relaxation & Focus
Unwind with the soothing sounds of a babbling brook for two full hours. This episode delivers a natural soundscape that’s perfect for relaxation, meditation, or background noise while working or studying. The gentle flow of water creates a serene environment, helping to alleviate ... Show More
2 h