The Happiness Challenge
The Happiness Challenge
Klaudia Mitura
Hello happiness seekers! I’m Klaudia Mitura, and I’m on a mission to explore the best happiness habits that science has to offer. Like so many others, the pandemic cut me off from family and work — so I decided to use my training as a psychologist to discover what science can tell us about the art of happiness. What I found set me on a path to joy — and now I’m sharing my journey with you. Each month I publish linked episodes where I speak to a leading expert, put their tips to the test, and share my findings (and feelings). From mindfulness to exercise and random acts of kindness, I’ll be shining a light on the simple happiness habits that can bring more joy to our lives. So join me as I embark on this challenge — and together we can become more successful, resilient, and happy. Klaudia is a work psychologist, Chief Happiness Officer, and the Learning and Development Manager at the Science Museum Group in the UK. In September 2025 she published The Alphabet of Happiness — available to order now: https://mybook.to/AlphabetofHappiness Check out Klaudia’s website for more information and downloadable resources: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/
#233 The Speak-Up Ladder: How to Find Your Voice in Meetings and Conflict
In Episode #233 of The Happiness Challenge, join Klaudia to discover how to speak up when it counts—using science-backed insights and practical tools that help you move from holding back to saying what you actually mean with clarity and calm.Whether you stay quiet in meetings, lose your words when the stakes feel high, get interrupted and don’t reclaim your point, or soften your message to avoid conflict, this episode will help you understand why speaking up can feel so hard—and how to use a simple method to take up space without forcing confidence.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Jun 25
11 min
#232 Using your Voice as a Nervous System Regulator
Join Klaudia Mitura to explore what it really means to embrace your own voice and how simple voice practices can help regulate your nervous system, calm stress, and lift your mood in minutes.Whether you notice your throat tighten under pressure, your voice rush when you’re overwhelmed, or you struggle to sound like yourself in important moments, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed tools you can use immediately (and that Klaudia tests herself).Learn how a longer exhale can signal safety to the body, why humming can help you feel more grounded fast, and try a short “voice reset” you can repeat for three days to track your mood, stress, and energy before and after.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Jun 18
11 min
#231 Liberate Your Voice: Speak With Presence, Not Perfection with Judith Quin
Your voice doesn’t always feel steady, and in high-stakes moments, it can feel like it has a mind of its own. In this episode, Klaudia Mitura sits down with Judith Quin, voice coach and vocal confidence specialist, to explore what it really means to liberate your voice and speak with presence, not perfection.This is a conversation about taking up space without getting louder, understanding what a “small voice” sounds like when we feel we don’t belong, and using Judith’s practical vocal resets to calm the nervous system fast.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Jun 16
26 min
#230 How to Make Overthinking More Constructive: 3 Research-Backed Insights
In Episode #230 of The Happiness Challenge, join Klaudia to discover how to make overthinking more constructive; using three research-backed insights that help you shift from mental spirals to clearer, calmer thinking.Whether you tend to get stuck in “why is this happening?” loops, find yourself brooding over the past, or worry as a way to avoid uncomfortable feelings, this episode will help you understand what your mind is trying to do and how to guide it in a more helpful direction.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
May 28
11 min
#229 Overthinking Reset: 3 Ways to Slow Down Your Mind
In Episode #229 of The Happiness Challenge, join Klaudia to discover three simple, science-backed ways to slow down an overthinking mind—right in the moment.Whether your thoughts spiral at night, you replay conversations on repeat, or you get stuck in “what if?” mode even on good days, this episode is packed with practical tools you can use immediately (and that Klaudia uses herself).Learn how to time-box worry with a “Worry Window,” calm your body in 60–90 seconds to quiet mental noise, and use the “Next Right Thing” rule to turn overthinking into one small, helpful action.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
May 14
11 min
#228 How to Cope with Overthinking (Without Fighting Your Thoughts) with Dr. Claire Hayes
Life doesn’t always feel calm — and for overthinkers, it can feel like your mind is running a marathon you never signed up for. In this episode, Klaudia sits down with Dr. Claire Hayes, clinical psychologist and author (including How to Cope), to talk honestly about overthinking, emotional resilience, and why “thinking positive” isn’t always the most helpful approach.This is a conversation about learning to welcome difficult emotions instead of suppressing them, separating thoughts from feelings and actions, and using Claire’s practical ABC coping statement (“I feel… because I think… but I choose…”) to step out of spirals and back into choice.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
May 12
36 min
#227 The Science of Celebrating Progress (Why Your Brain Ignores Your Wins And How to Fix It)
Discover how celebrating even the smallest, messiest wins can transform your happiness and motivation in this month’s Happiness Challenge! Join Klaudia as she wraps up the series with a deep dive into the science behind why our brains often overlook progress—and how learning to notice your wins is one of the most important happiness skills you can build.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: How to build wellbeing habits that stick webinar https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Apr 21
14 min
#226 The Small Wins: 5 Powerful Ideas to Celebrate Your Progress (Even When It Feels Messy)
Join Klaudia to discover how celebrating small wins can boost your happiness and motivation in this month’s Happiness Challenge!Whether you’re struggling to see your growth or just need a reminder to pause and appreciate tiny victories, this episode is packed with practical tips and uplifting motivation.Learn five simple ways to celebrate your wins, shift your mindset from FOMO to JOMO, and create joyful habits that make every step forward count.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: How to build wellbeing habits that stick webinar https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Apr 9
10 min
#225 Confidently Lost: When Life Goes off Script with Gavin Oattes
Life doesn’t always make sense and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. In this episode, Klaudia sits down with Gavin Oattes, bestselling author of Confidently Lost, speaker, and stand-up comedian, to talk honestly about feeling lost, overwhelmed, and perfectly imperfect.This is a conversation about breaking free from the pressure to “have it all figured out,” ideas on how to deal with societal expectations, and why it’s okay not always to get it right.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Apr 7
23 min
#224 Scrolling vs. Connection: The Surprising Truth About Screen Time from the World Happiness Report 2026
To celebrate the International Day of Happiness, The Happiness Challenge podcast is dedicating March to the World Happiness Report.In this episode, Klaudia explores the World Happiness Report 2026, released on 20th March, and its timely theme: happiness and social media. Discover what the latest research suggests about why heavy social media use can be linked to lower wellbeing (especially for young people), why passive scrolling fuels social comparison, and how to reshape your relationship with social media so it supports real connection rather than drains it.Plus, Klaudia shares a simple “Social Media Swap” experiment you can try this week to boost belonging and wellbeing.Get involved: ⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store🎟️ Join live: How to build wellbeing habits that stick webinar https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book
Mar 20
14 min
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