10 TED Talks To Help You Feel More Positive

Where Joy Hides & How To Find It – Ingrid Fetell Lee

Cherry blossoms, rainbows, children blowing bubbles – why do some things seem to create such universal joy? In this captivating talk, Ingrid Fetell Lee (author of the hit book Joyful: The surprising power of ordinary things to create extraordinary happiness) reveals the surprisingly tangible roots of joy and shows how we all can find – and create – more of it in the world around us. Less than two years old, this talk has already garnered an impressive 2.5m views. Expect a full break down of the science behind this powerful emotion, as well as practical insight into the power of colour in our everyday lives.

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How To Cope With Anxiety – Olivia Remes

These days, anxiety is recognised as one of most prevalent mental health disorders, with one out of every 14 people in the world likely to be affected at some point in their lives. Join Olivia Remes, a psychologist from the University of Cambridge, as she explains how to get rid of that nagging voice in your head, and be kinder to yourself on a daily basis. Arguing that treatments such as psychotherapy and medication often result in poor outcomes and high rates of relapse, watch as she emphasises the importance of harnessing our own strength to modify problem-coping mechanisms. By allowing ourselves to believe that what happens in life is both meaningful and manageable, Remes argues we can all improve our mental health. 

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Less Stuff, More Happiness – Graham Hill

With many people facing a difficult financial future, it’s never been more important to remember what truly brings us happiness. Here, journalist, designer and committed minimalist Graham Hill explains the benefits of having less stuff and why this leads to a happier life. As well as making the case for taking up less space, Hill also lays out his three golden rules for editing down your life. With a transcript available in nearly 50 languages and a fully comprehensive reading list for viewers wanting to learn more, consider this five-minute presentation a starting point for further reflection.

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Love Letters To Strangers – Hannah Brencher

A believer in the power of words, it’s been close to a decade since Hannah Brencher kicked off her initiative to get more people writing letters. The World Needs More Love Letters is now a global programme which helps to send handwritten letters to those most in need. A by-product of Brencher’s own experience with depression after leaving college, her decision to write love letters for strangers has captured the world’s imagination. Watch here as she explains the power of the movement, and what readers of these letters have managed to accomplish as a result. A timely reminder of what a small act of kindness can do during a difficult time – even for people we don’t know.

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What Makes A Good Life – Robert Waldinger

If you think fame and money are the keys to happiness, you're not alone. But, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're also wrong. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development – and a Harvard professor no less – Waldinger shares his unprecedented access to data on what determines true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he explains the three important lessons the study has taught him, as well as some practical wisdom on how to build a fulfilling life. It’ll remind you of what’s really important. 

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Nature, Beauty, Gratitude – Louie Schwartzberg

Through the eyes of a renowned filmmaker and cinematographer, watch as Louie Schwartzberg uses stunning time-lapse photography and powerful words from Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast as a meditation on how to be grateful. Combating the preconception that nature’s beauty is only ever fleeting, Schwartzberg’s images serve as an important reminder that it is possible to capture images which celebrate life, as well as reveal connections, universal rhythms and patterns. Nearly a decade old, this TED talk has racked up more than 4m views, with its message just as relevant today.

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The Secret Of Becoming Mentally Strong – Amy Morin

Everyone has the ability to build mental strength, but most of us don't know how. With the help of clinical social worker and psychotherapist Amy Morin, this TED talk shows us how to use exercises to regulate our thoughts, manage our emotions, and behave productively despite our circumstances – in other words, the three basic factors of mental strength. With experience in counselling children, teenagers and adults, Morin shares the latest research on resilience, and the best strategies for overcoming adversity and building mental muscle. The talk centres on Amy’s core belief that, no matter what, building mental strength is the key to reaching your greatest potential. 

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The Three As Of Awesomeness – Neil Pasricha

Neil Pasricha’s blog 1,000 Awesome Things celebrates life’s simplest pleasures – from free refills to clean sheets. A self-declared expert on intentional living, watch the Harvard MBA graduate reveal the three secrets (all starting with A) to leading a life that's truly awesome – in ways which are small, achievable and affordable. Follow up with Pasricha’s best-selling book The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything, where he unlocks the nine secrets to happiness. From explaining why multitasking is a myth, to why eliminating options actually leads to more choice, Pasricha provides practical, step-by-step advice to living a better life.

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Why You Should Talk To Strangers – Kio Stark

One of the most uplifting consequences of the recent crisis is the boom in community spirit. "When you talk to strangers, you're making beautiful interruptions into the expected narrative of your daily life – and theirs," explains author of When Strangers Meet, Kio Stark, in this delightful talk. Watch as Stark explores the overlooked benefits of pushing past your discomfort when it comes to strangers, and embracing those fleeting but profoundly beautiful moments of genuine connection. Something we should all remember once normal life resumes.

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You Are Not Alone In Your Loneliness – Jonny Sun

With the coronavirus crisis set to continue for some time, it’s easy to forget some people are managing the struggle completely alone. In an honest talk filled with his signature humorous illustrations, writer and artist Jonny Sun shows the audience how feeling like an outsider helped him tap into an unexpected community and find a tiny sliver of light in the darkness. His advice? Be open and vulnerable with your loneliness in order to find unexpected comfort. If this talk leaves you wanting more, follow up with Sun’s book Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too to discover the story of a lonely alien who finds community on earth – a loose metaphor for online life.

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