How does the emotion of awe benefit our health?

The feeling of awe reduces activation in the inflammation system, which is protective against various health issues like heart problems and diabetes. It also activates the vagus nerve, calming heart rate and aiding digestion, and generally reduces stress and anxiety.

How can one experience everyday awe?

Everyday awe can be found by intentionally looking for it in simple things like the beauty of nature, acts of generosity, or a piece of music. Practices like the 'awe walk' (taking time to observe small and vast elements during a regular walk) or simply looking at the sky can cultivate this sense of wonder.

What is the evolutionary basis for human cooperation and emotions like awe?

Contrary to the 'selfish gene' theory, modern evolutionary thinking emphasizes human cooperation and collective behavior. Emotions like awe, compassion, and the release of oxytocin help us synchronize, mimic, and collaborate, which was crucial for caring for vulnerable offspring and adapting to challenging environments.

Can grief lead to encountering awe, and how did Dr. Keltner experience this?

Yes, profound grief can open one to awe. Dr. Keltner experienced an awe-like state during his brother's passing and subsequently sought out awe in unexpected places like prisons, symphonies, and nature, believing it was essential for navigating his grief and rediscovering meaning.

What is the science behind the positive impact of gratitude?

Practicing gratitude boosts happiness more than spending on oneself, improves cardiovascular health, and strengthens social bonds. Research shows that expressing gratitude enhances romantic relationships and fosters stronger social networks, making it a reliable path to a happier life.

Are humans meant to be monogamous, and how are relationships evolving?

While there's individual and cultural variation, serial monogamy may be a more common default. Societal models of a single, lifelong monogamous relationship are challenged by high divorce rates and unhappiness. Evolving relationship dynamics, including co-parenting without cohabitation and varied forms of love, suggest a move towards more flexible and communal approaches to partnership.

How does wealth and social class impact compassion and empathy?

Studies suggest that as individuals rise in wealth and privilege, they tend to show less compassion, feel less awe, and can be more impolite. Experiments have shown that simply giving someone a sense of being privileged can reduce their empathy, indicating that structural conditions of wealth can undermine pro-social tendencies.

Why has life expectancy been declining in some developed countries?

Declining life expectancy in countries like the US is linked to inequality, lack of opportunity, and 'deaths by despair' in certain populations. Factors like the opioid crisis, drug addiction, suicides, and a general 'epidemic of purposelessness' contribute to this trend, alongside increased stress and loneliness.

How does compassion differ from empathy, and what are its scientific benefits?

Empathy is feeling what others feel, while compassion is feeling concern about others' suffering and being moved to action to alleviate it. Scientific evidence shows that compassionate acts boost happiness, improve life expectancy, and are physiologically beneficial, creating a contagious effect that spreads kindness through social networks.

What is the significance of physical touch for human development and well-being?

Touch is foundational for connection and identity, with physiological benefits including immune system support, vagal nerve activation, and reduced stress hormones like cortisol. Studies show that skin-to-skin contact is crucial for premature babies, and positive touch improves social behavior and academic performance.

How can exposure to nature impact mental and physical health?

Being exposed to nature, such as living near parks or having plants indoors, can boost life expectancy, reduce depression and anxiety, and foster a sense of awe. This simple access to green spaces provides easy solutions to combat stress and improve well-being, even for incarcerated individuals.

The "Happy Life" Scientist: How To FINALLY Beat Stress, Worry & Uncertainty! Dacher Keltner | E219

The Diary Of A CEO

Science & Technology5 min read99 min video

Feb 6, 2023|1,827,482 views|40,614|2,084

The Diary Of A CEO steven bartlett steve bartlett podcast the diary of a CEO podcast life lessons CEO

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Scientist Dacher Keltner discusses awe, compassion, gratitude for happiness and longevity.

Key Insights

Experiencing awe, even in everyday moments, significantly reduces stress, inflammation, and anxiety.

Compassion and kindness have a contagious effect, improving well-being and potentially increasing life expectancy.

Gratitude is crucial for holding societies together and strengthening personal relationships, requiring intentional practice.

Wealth and power can diminish empathy and compassion, potentially leading to less ethical behavior and reduced awe.

Strong social connections and a sense of purpose are vital for mental and physical health, combating loneliness and "death by despair."

Physical touch, even simple acts, has profound physiological benefits, reducing stress and increasing oxytocin levels.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND THE GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER

Dacher Keltner, a professor at UC Berkeley, founded the Greater Good Science Center to disseminate research on well-being. His academic journey began at UC Santa Barbara and continued with a PhD from Stanford, followed by postdoctoral work with Paul Ekman. The Center, established post-9/11, aims to translate scientific findings on compassion, meditation, and stress reduction into actionable insights for a broader audience, addressing societal fragmentation and declining life expectancies.

THE THERAPEUTIC POWER OF AWE

Awe, defined as the feeling of encountering something vast and beyond one's comprehension, stimulates wonder and creativity. Experiencing awe, even through small everyday moments like observing a beautiful cloud or an act of kindness, demonstrably reduces inflammation, calms the nervous system, and activates the vagus nerve. Regular exposure to awe, such as through simple 'awe walks,' can lead to reduced distress, pain, and increased joy, particularly in older adults, and counters the tendency towards self-focus and stress.

COMPASSION, KINDNESS, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION

Compassion, the concern for others' suffering coupled with a desire to alleviate it, is a powerful emotion that increases well-being. Studies show that acts of kindness not only benefit the giver but also ripple outwards, making recipients kinder to others. This contagion effect, along with strengthening social ties, can add years to life expectancy. Practicing compassion can quiet threat regions in the brain and is seen as a fundamental aspect of human evolution, promoting cooperation and connection.

GRATITUDE'S ROLE IN SOCIETY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Gratitude, the feeling of reverence for what is given, serves as a societal glue and is vital for personal relationships. It differs from awe by often focusing on specific gifts or acts received. Intentional gratitude practices, such as maintaining a gratitude chat in organizations or expressing thanks to partners, foster stronger social bonds, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance romantic relationships. This emotion counteracts Western cultural tendencies that may devalue emotional expression like saying 'thank you'.

THE PARADOX OF WEALTH AND POWER

Research suggests that increased wealth and power can paradoxically lead to diminished empathy, compassion, and awe. Studies indicate that affluent individuals may show less activation in the vagus nerve when witnessing suffering and are more likely to advocate for policies that benefit the wealthy. This phenomenon, termed the 'power paradox,' implies that while success can be aided by prosocial behaviors, attaining it can sometimes lead to a detachment from the struggles of others and more unethical tendencies.

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS AND MONOGAMY'S EVOLUTION

Human evolutionary history suggests a tendency towards serial monogamy rather than lifelong single partnerships. With rising divorce rates and evolving societal norms, flexible relationship structures are becoming more prevalent. These may include co-parenting without living together or a broader definition of love that encompasses friendship and communal caregiving, moving away from intense, singular romantic devotion which can be unsustainable and lead to unhappiness. This shift reflects a move towards more distributed forms of love and care.

THE EPIDEMIC OF PURPOSELESSNESS AND LONELINESS

Declining life expectancy, particularly in the US, is linked to factors like inequality, 'death by despair' (opioid addiction, suicide), and a pervasive sense of purposelessness or lack of meaning. This decline is exacerbated by stress, loneliness, and a loss of communal experiences that previously provided a sense of belonging. The science of happiness increasingly emphasizes the importance of finding meaning beyond income or status, challenging traditional notions of work and relationships to foster a richer, more connected life.

THE SCIENCE OF TOUCH AND CONNECTION

Physical touch is fundamental to human and mammalian development, with profound physiological impacts. Skin-to-skin contact, crucial for premature infants, reduces stress hormones like cortisol and enhances well-being. Simple touch, hugs, and even eye contact with loved ones or pets release oxytocin, promoting cooperation and reducing loneliness. Cultural shifts that have restricted friendly touch have been detrimental, especially for men, contributing to higher rates of suicide and mental health issues. Reintegrating touch into social interactions is vital for health and connection.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND VIRTUE SIGNALING

The internet and social media can foster a sense of collective identity and reward prosocial behavior, but also facilitate 'virtue signaling' and superficial engagement. While connecting people and amplifying messages for the 'tribe,' there's a risk that digital acts of kindness or support (like posting solidarity messages) may replace meaningful action on systemic issues. True progress requires addressing root causes rather than simply performing virtue online, as exemplified by calls for companies to address internal inequalities before making public statements.

ADDRESSING INEQUALITY AND THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENT

Societal inequality significantly impacts well-being, with wealth and privilege potentially eroding empathy and increasing unethical behavior. Access to nature, such as living near parks or having greenery in urban environments, is linked to improved health outcomes, reduced depression, and enhanced awe. Implementing nature-based solutions in public spaces, including prisons and healthcare facilities, can have profound positive effects on mental health and social cohesion, highlighting the environmental determinants of happiness and well-being.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Founded 20 years ago, the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley aims to disseminate knowledge on meditation, compassion, and stress to the public to improve human well-being and community, particularly in response to societal fragmentation and declining life expectancies. Their goal is to make scientific findings actionable and accessible.

Topics

Social Class Touch

Mentioned in this video

mediaLie to Me

A television show inspired by the work of Paul Ekman.

organizationGreater Good Science Center

An organization at UC Berkeley that disseminates new knowledge on meditation, compassion, and stress to a broad audience, co-founded and run by Dr. Keltner.

personHarry Harlow

Researcher known for experiments with rhesus monkeys on the importance of touch and comfort.

personMichael Krauss

Former student of Dr. Keltner who conducted research on U.S. senators and policy makers, linking wealth to regressive policy preferences.

companySoHo Farmhouse

A hotel village in the countryside mentioned by the host as a place for nature experiences.

personLiz Dunn

Her famous study showed that giving money away boosts happiness more than spending it on oneself.

productSamsung Galaxy Book 360

A laptop model that rotates 360 degrees, suitable for presentations and note-taking.

bookThe Power Paradox

One of Dr. Keltner's books that explores how power can lead to misbehavior and reduced empathy.

organizationWall Street

productIntel Evo

Found this useful? Build your knowledge library

Get AI-powered summaries of any YouTube video, podcast, or article in seconds. Save them to your personal pods and access them anytime.

Try Summify free