I’ve recently come across this article that is both promoting and offering readers the chance to complete what is termed “Yale’s most popular course ever” online.
The course that was developed by Professor Laurie Santos at Yale University; Psychology and the Good Life was aimed at students in response to growing numbers of reports of anxiety and depression amongst the student population. Since the surge in popularity for the course, Santos has made the course available online for free, to enable access for all; calling this ‘The Science of Wellbeing’. On this course you’ll learn about:
· Misconceptions of Happiness
· Why our expectations are so bad
· What really increases happiness
· Strategies to reset our expectations
· Putting Strategies into place
The course offers the chance to review your own wellbeing and happiness by completing questionnaires that measure your overall wellbeing. You can then revisit your scores at the start of the course and compare and contrast your score at the end. This course also allows you to work at your own pace, with the ability to participate as much or as little as you want to. The course also provides content of recorded lectures, so you can watch from the comfort of your own home, as well as providing details of useful resources such as Ted talks and textbooks to help you continue your learning. Through engaging in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits, with reflection on current research as to what does and doesn’t work, you will be able to incorporate specific wellness activities into your life and make a lasting impact on your overall wellbeing. Why not take advantage of this free course during the current lockdown and see what you can learn about what makes you happy and find the strategies you can incorporate into your daily life for a happier, healthier you.
You can access this course for free here and begin to make the changes you need to improve your overall wellbeing and challenge your preconceptions of what you think will make you happy. Ben Webster Student Wellbeing Advisor - Faculty of Arts & Humanities