The Human Optimization Project

Hosted ByMayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.

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Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 5: E5 Moving From Stress to Joy: How to Cultivate Happiness and Joy at Work and Home

8 de abril de 2025 casimedicos The Human Optimization Project 00:46:13 0 Comments

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

We would all be open to the idea of a little less stress in our lives, especially if we can fill that with joy and happiness. For most of us, this holds true for both our personal and professional lives. But in this age of increasing pressure, demands, expectations, and deadlines, is that even a realistic expectation? Today we are going to dive deep into the meaning of joy, why so many of us don’t get enough, and how that is impacting our overall lives. In addition to that, we will discuss some intentional strategies for replacing stress with joy to help us become our best selves.

The three big questions we will tackle in this episode are:
1) How do you define joy and happiness, and how do they play a role in our everyday lives?
2) Why do so many of us struggle with finding joy in our lives, and how is that impacting us?
3) How can we intentionally design our lives and work to experience more joy, and make joy our default?

To help us answer these questions, my guest today is Darryl S. Chutka, M.D., General Internal Medicine Physician at Mayo Clinic and the host of the Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast.

 

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

 

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

  1. Dr. Chutka distinguishes joy from happiness, describing joy as «happiness on steroids» that spreads to others. Can you recall a time when you experienced joy that felt uniquely shareable or impactful beyond yourself?
  2. The podcast highlights the «joy in the journey» concept, emphasizing that fulfillment comes from the process, not just the destination. How does this perspective resonate with your own career or personal goals, and what steps could you take to find more joy in your current «journey»?
  3. Dr. Chutka shares his experience of saying «no» to commitments that don’t align with long-term goals, and finding joy in learning from unexpected assignments. Can you identify an area in your life where saying «no» or reframing a less-than-ideal task as a learning experience could increase your joy?
  4. The discussion emphasizes the profound influence of relationships on our joy, suggesting we become the average of the five people we spend the most time with. How consciously do you curate your social circle to foster joy? Or, what changes, if any, might you consider in your relationships?
  5. Physical health is presented as a controllable factor that significantly impacts joy. What’s one «controllable» aspect of your physical health (e.g., sleep, nutrition, exercise) that you could focus on improving?
  6. The podcast addresses the impact of social media, noting its potential to reduce genuine face-to-face interactions and expose us to misinformation. What adjustments could you make regarding social media usage to ensure it supports rather than detracts from your well-being?
  7. Dr. Chutka’s «gratitude rounds» and the practice of daily gratitude are offered as concrete steps to cultivate joy. What are three specific things you are grateful for right now?
  8. The episode challenges the idea that one must be happy all the time, instead suggesting that joy builds resilience for life’s inevitable challenges. How can you cultivate joy to better navigate difficult times?
  9. At the end of the discussion have each person in your Pod-Club send a note (text, e-mail, card, etc)  to someone outside of the Pod-Club that simply says…»Hope you are well. I just wanted to send you a quick note telling you that I appreciate you and all that you do. Have a great day, and thanks for all that you do.»  After each of you do that, reflect on whether or not that was easy vs. challenging, and how it made you feel after sending it. 

 

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project – YouTube

Email: optimize@mayo.edu

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