Positive Psychology Podcast: Fun and Health a Joyful Prescription for the Pursuit of Happiness With Mike Rucker

Fun and Your Health: A Joyful Prescription

Original Air Date Wednesday, January 4, 2023

In western cultures, many people have been led to believe that if we consume, share, or do the right things, happiness is right around the corner. But, how many of us have turned the corner only to find boredom or loneliness?

To unpack the secret to finding joy in everyday activities, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with organizational psychologist and behavioral scientist, Mike Rucker about the connection between, fun, health, and time management.

He describes the SAVOR and hedonic adaptation concepts from his book, The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life. And, he shares the secret sauce to escaping the perceived pursuit of happiness and toxic positivity.

Tune in:

Lisa Cypers Kamen · Fun and Your Health: A Joyful Prescription with Mike Rucker PhD

Meet Our Guest:

Dr. Mike Rucker is an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He has been academically published in publications like the International Journal of Workplace Health Management. His ideas about fun and health have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Forbes, Vox, Thrive Global, Mindful, mindbodygreen, and more. He currently serves as a senior leader at Active Wellness and is the author of the upcoming book The Fun Habit, available January 2023.

Book: The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life

Mike Rucker PhD — A Joyful Prescription:

How can we live a joyful life in our Western culture that pushes an unattainable pursuit of happiness? {2:28}
Mike describes ‘fun’ from a scientific perspective and shares how to strategically spend time to fend off boredom. {6:20}
Hedonic adaptation refers to a set point of individual happiness no matter what is happening in the person’s life, as Mike explains. {8:40}
Mike explains the concept of time affluence and how to bring joy to what could be lost hours. {14:16}
In his book, The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life, Mike uses SAVOR as an acronym to describe how to make events rich and meaningful. {22:05}

Follow Dr. Mike Rucker:

Shareables:

“During moments of despair, if you don't have a big toolbox it can lead you into dark places.” @performbetter on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “What is fun for one person isn’t always fun for another person.” @performbetter on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Vitality usually spreads like wildfire.” @performbetter on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The sweet spot of happiness is a blend between Hedonia and Eudaimonia.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.