Dan Harris Shares Chaotic Mind Tips
Dan Harris, author of "10% Happier," shared practical mindfulness advice for managing mental chaos in a recent NPR interview. Harris emphasizes that mindfulness isn't about achieving perfection but making incremental improvements—just being "10% happier." He advocates for approachable, realistic mindfulness goals to make the practice accessible for everyone feeling overwhelmed by traditional wellness messaging.
- Before his work on mindfulness, Dan Harris was a correspondent and anchor for ABC News for 21 years, co-anchoring "Nightline" and the weekend editions of "Good Morning America." - His journey into mindfulness was prompted by a panic attack he experienced on live television in 2004 while filling in on "Good Morning America." - Harris later revealed that his on-air panic attack was likely caused by his use of cocaine and ecstasy, which he had started using to cope with depression after covering wars in the Middle East. - The book "10% Happier" was published in March 2014 and became a #1 New York Times bestseller. - Following the book's success, Harris launched the "10% Happier" company, which includes a popular meditation app and podcasts featuring interviews with scientists and meditation experts. - In August 2021, Harris announced he was leaving ABC News to focus his efforts on his mindfulness company. - One of the simple meditation techniques Harris advocates involves sitting comfortably, focusing on the feeling of your breath, and gently refocusing your attention back to your breath each time your mind wanders. - For those who find sitting still a challenge, Harris also recommends walking meditation as a way to practice mindfulness while in motion.
