On this difficult journey we call life, are there practical paths to happiness or are we just kidding ourselves. America’s Happiness Doctor says it’s possible. He’s even written a book about it.
On a recent episode of Causes or Cures, I chatted with America’s Happiness Doctor, Dr. Elia Gourgouris, about practical paths people can take to achieve lasting happiness. Dr. Gourgouris breaks down the definition of happiness and shares how we can leverage it in our daily lives, at work, in relationships, and even during times of crisis. He also explores its connections to positive psychology, fear, and forgiveness. We even discuss why cancel culture is the epitome of unhappiness, since it is devoid of forgiveness.
Is happiness a public health issue? To me, it certainly is. We have rising rates of mental health issues in both the young and old. We have an epidemic of loneliness. People feel like they aren’t enough and can’t form lasting connections. While we don’t directly touch on this element in the podcast, being unhappy (or at least discontent) certainly increases stress and apathy, and both of those things are linked to deleterious health outcomes. Dr. Elias believes happiness is a choice…and with that approach, it seems attainable for all. (Of course, let me know if you agree with him after you listen to the episode- perhaps you do not.)
Dr. Elia Gourgouris, PhD, is a best-selling author of 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness and 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters. He is the President of The Happiness Center and a Founding Partner at The Global Institute of Thought Leadership. Known for his motto “Happiness is a choice!”, Dr. Gourgouris has become a leading authority on happiness and corporate wellness, offering coaching and keynotes around the world for the past 25 years. Through his work, he’s helped thousands find happiness and fulfillment, both personally and professionally.
PS: In the introduction, you’ll hear me describe an asthma attack I had at the start of this podcast conversation. I just HAD to recount it because while my bronchioles were attempting to squeeze me to death, the thoughts running through my brain were making me laugh. It was quite an experience, so I wanted to share it with you.
Please listen to practical paths to happiness with Dr. Elia, here!
Here are some other episodes from Causes or Cures you can check out:
Prevention Tips for Dementia– this is a shorter one but, wow, valuable information for those invested in preserving brain health!
Speaking of the epitome of unhappiness (Major Depression), a Harvard-trained doctor discussed his research on how much weight someone should expect to gain if he/she decides to take antidepressants. I asked him to come on the show, because antidepressants are very common and many people are concerned about potential weight gain as a side effect.
Finally, PLEASE STAY TUNED, for the FIRST BONUS EPISODE that will be for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY!! I plan to post it later this week…and it will be a good one. :) It’s not too late, you can subscribe here for the bonus episodes!!
Also… you might laugh at what happened to me at the start of this podcast which I describe in a video here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAE-84IsFDO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Thank you again to everyone who helps support the show! I hope it brings you value.
XO Eeks