Season 3 #6 Nathaniel Herr
Season 3 #6 Nathaniel Herr

How To Be Sad with Helen Russell

Nathaniel Herr is a Professor of Psychology at American University in Washington DC, and an expert in ‘emotional regulation’ – something we should learn in childhood but that many of us miss out on. But by getting better at experiencing, labelling an...

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45:21•20 Oct 2021

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How To Be Sad with Helen Russell

Helen Russell

Why do we cry? How come love hurts? And what’s a happiness researcher doing talking about sadness, anyway? Helen Russell is a journalist and happiness researcher and How to be Sad is a new podcast based on her book of the same name - exploring why we get sad, what to do when we’re sad, and how we can all get happier by learning to be sad, better. Because let’s be honest – we are in unprecedented times. None of us are where we thought we’d be this time last year and we’re all struggling. We’re having to get better at having difficult conversations and finding ways of handling our sadness. Join Helen as she talks to some high profile people from all walks of life who have done just that. Each week, special guests share their own experiences of everything from heartache to burnout, anxiety to addiction, the differences between sadness and depression - and how they cope. Find out more @MsHelenRussell #HowToBeSad and order How To Be Sad at https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-be-sad-the-key-to-a-happier-life-helen-russell?variant=39445841018958

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Embrace Sadness: Nathaniel Herr on Emotional Regulation for a Happier Life

“Only by embracing our sadness and other negative emotions can we ultimately get happier and lead more fulfilled lives.”

Ever wondered why we tend to push sadness away? In this thought-provoking episode of 'How To Be Sad', Helen Russell chats with Nathaniel Herr, a Professor of Psychology at American University and an expert in emotional regulation. Nathaniel dives into why it's crucial to experience, label, and express our emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, to lead more fulfilled lives. He argues that society's tendency to avoid sadness actually makes us worse off in the long run.

Helen and Nathaniel explore a range of topics, from how Baby Boomers changed our views on emotions to what the Pixar film 'Inside Out' got right—and wrong—about feelings. They also touch on the gendering of emotions like sorrow and anger and how the global pandemic has impacted our emotional well-being. Nathaniel emphasizes the importance of acknowledging all our emotions, not just the positive ones, and offers practical advice on how to get better at emotional regulation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand their feelings better and find a path to genuine happiness.

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