About a decade ago, I faced a panic attack while delivering the news on *Good Morning America*, a task I had done numerous times. As I started my segment, an intense wave of fear overwhelmed me. My heart raced, my palms were sweaty, and I struggled to breathe. This moment was broadcast live, and I found myself gasping for air, unable to continue. In a state of panic, I abruptly stopped mid-broadcast, mistakenly addressing the main anchors by the wrong names. The embarrassment that followed was significant.
After this incident, I consulted a doctor who specialized in panic attacks. During our discussion, he inquired about drug use, and I reluctantly admitted to it. His response, “Mystery solved,” indicated that my recreational use of drugs like cocaine and ecstasy had elevated my adrenaline levels, triggering the panic attack. This realization compelled me to confront my choices and recognize the need for change in my life.
My career in news began at a young age when I joined ABC News at 28, working alongside industry legends like Diane Sawyer and Peter Jennings. My ambition to excel often led me to overwork, especially after 9/11, when I volunteered for assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon returning, I battled depression and turned to drugs as an ill-advised coping mechanism.
Around this time, I was tasked with covering religion for ABC News, a topic I initially resisted due to my secular background. However, this assignment broadened my perspective on faith and life. I began exploring various philosophies and self-help literature, including a book by Eckhart Tolle. Initially skeptical, I eventually appreciated his insights into the human condition, particularly the constant negative chatter of our inner voice.
My journey into self-help led me to meet various gurus, many of whom left me feeling perplexed or frustrated. However, my wife introduced me to a book by Dr. Mark Epstein, a psychiatrist who connects psychiatry and Buddhism. This book shed light on the Buddhist roots of Tolle’s ideas, especially the practice of meditation as a tool to manage the inner voice that often causes anxiety and shame.
Despite my initial doubts about meditation, I discovered its scientific benefits: it can lower blood pressure, enhance the immune system, and rewire the brain for improved self-awareness and compassion. This evidence encouraged me to try meditation. Now, I not only practice it daily but also advocate for its benefits publicly.
In my book, *10% Happier*, I aim to challenge the unrealistic promises often made by self-help gurus. While meditation won’t solve all of life’s problems, it can significantly improve our relationship with our inner voice, which is often the source of our greatest discomfort. I believe we are ready for a more mature dialogue about happiness—one that acknowledges life’s complexities while offering practical tools for improvement.
In conclusion, my journey from experiencing a panic attack on live television to embracing mindfulness through meditation has transformed my understanding of happiness and well-being. It serves as a reminder that while we cannot eliminate all our problems, we can change how we respond to them.
Reflect on a personal experience where you faced a significant challenge or moment of panic. Write a short essay about how you managed the situation and what you learned from it. Consider how mindfulness or other coping strategies could have altered your response.
Participate in a guided mindfulness meditation session. Focus on observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment. After the session, discuss with peers how this practice might help in managing stress and anxiety in high-pressure situations.
Analyze a case study of a public figure who has overcome personal challenges through mindfulness or similar practices. Present your findings to the class, highlighting the strategies used and their outcomes.
Read a chapter from a self-help book, such as Eckhart Tolle’s work, and discuss its concepts with your peers. Debate the practicality and applicability of these ideas in professional and personal life.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you simulate a high-pressure scenario, such as a live broadcast. Practice using mindfulness techniques to maintain composure and effectively manage stress during the exercise.
Panic – A sudden overwhelming fear that can result in irrational behavior and physiological symptoms. – During the exam, she experienced a moment of panic, forgetting everything she had studied.
Mindfulness – The practice of maintaining a non-judgmental state of heightened awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis. – Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines can significantly reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Meditation – A practice where an individual uses techniques such as focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. – Regular meditation has been shown to enhance emotional well-being and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety – A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. – Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used to help individuals manage anxiety effectively.
Depression – A common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act, characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. – Early intervention and treatment can greatly improve the prognosis for individuals suffering from depression.
Self-help – The use of one’s own efforts and resources to achieve things without relying on others, often involving strategies for personal development and problem-solving. – Many people turn to self-help books to find strategies for improving their mental health and well-being.
Religion – A system of beliefs, practices, and values often centered around the worship of a deity or deities, which can provide a sense of purpose and community. – Religion can play a significant role in providing individuals with a framework for understanding life’s challenges and fostering resilience.
Compassion – A deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. – Practicing compassion can improve interpersonal relationships and enhance emotional intelligence.
Happiness – A state of well-being and contentment, often considered a fundamental human goal and a key component of mental health. – Positive psychology focuses on the study of happiness and how individuals can cultivate it in their lives.
Psychiatry – The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. – Psychiatry often involves a combination of medication and therapy to treat complex mental health conditions.
