The Secret to #Happiness? She Is Teaching Millions Of People How To Boost Their Well-Being During #Covid-19
Over 3 million people from around the world are taking course on....happiness since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. “The Science of Well-Being” taught by the psychology professor Laurie Santos has become the most popular course in Yale’s 300-years history. Since march the "happiness" course is available free online on Coursera and millions of people have already enrolled on it.
Santos said that the interest in her course since the beginning of the pandemic is phenomenal.“Everyone's feeling anxious and uncertain and kind of scared, and
people just really want things they can do to feel better,” she says in an interview for the World Economic Forum’ .“I think the class really gives that: evidence-based tips you can
put into practice today, that the research suggests will improve your
wellbeing.”
"Try not to run away from the negative emotions. Uncertainty, fear, frustration, anger, jealousy they’re not going away. You need to give them space. One
technique is to use meditation, where you really try to recognize and
accept those emotions", Santos says in an interview for NYT.
Can happiness be learned, is it a question of genes or we have control on it, is happiness a luxury during the pandemic, how could we boost our well-being when we are stuck at home, and how Covid-19 will affect our mental health in long-term - I asked these questions Laurie Santos.
Laurie, you are teaching “The Science of Well-Being” – the most popular course in Yale’s history. But can happiness actually be learned?
Yes! The research shows that happiness stems not merely from our circumstances or our genetics, but more from our behaviors. If we learn the right practices, we can improve our well-being.
Is happiness genetic? How do our genes influence it?
There is a genetic component to happiness, just like there's a genetic component to our body weight. But just like body weight there's a lot we can do with our behavior to positively work with whatever genetic predisposition we were given. What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about happiness?
I think the biggest misconception about happiness is that it comes from our circumstances. That if we were just rich or beautiful or had the perfect job or material possessions that we'd be happy. The research suggests that this is simply not the case. Happiness comes from making sure you have the right mindsets and the right behaviors.
I think the biggest misconception about happiness is that it comes from our circumstances. That if we were just rich or beautiful or had the perfect job or material possessions that we'd be happy. The research suggests that this is simply not the case. Happiness comes from making sure you have the right mindsets and the right behaviors.
What brings people the greatest happiness? Is there a change now in the main sources of happiness in comparison to the pre-pandemic times?
The sources of happiness remain the same during the pandemic— taking time for gratitude, getting in some social connection, healthy habits like exercise and sleep, and finding ways to be present. The same things cause happiness it's just that we need to be a bit more intentional about making sure we do those happiness-inducing behaviors during the current time.
The sources of happiness remain the same during the pandemic— taking time for gratitude, getting in some social connection, healthy habits like exercise and sleep, and finding ways to be present. The same things cause happiness it's just that we need to be a bit more intentional about making sure we do those happiness-inducing behaviors during the current time.
Are there universal sources of happiness? Or the drivers of happiness are more culture-specific?The factors I mentioned above— social connection, healthy habits, gratitude, and mindfulness— are universal sources of happiness. Cultures differ in how happy people are on average, but that's often because cultures also vary in how much of those sources of happiness people naturally achieve on a daily basis.
Do you think it’s realistic to talk about happiness during a global pandemic with no end in sight? Maybe it’s more practical to just strive to be content.
I think it's essential to talk about happiness during tough times. Studies show that happiness can boost our immune function and our longevity. Happiness can help us solve problems more creatively. In some ways we need happiness now more than ever.
I think it's essential to talk about happiness during tough times. Studies show that happiness can boost our immune function and our longevity. Happiness can help us solve problems more creatively. In some ways we need happiness now more than ever.
If you could pick three practices or habits to boost our happiness while being at home that could have the most impact, what would they be?
Write down three to five things you're grateful for every night, intentionally make one additional social connection each day (even if that's calling a friend or meeting over Zoom or Facetime— it doesn't have to be in person, and get a half hour of cardio each day.
Write down three to five things you're grateful for every night, intentionally make one additional social connection each day (even if that's calling a friend or meeting over Zoom or Facetime— it doesn't have to be in person, and get a half hour of cardio each day.
You often have said that social connections are crucial for our happiness. But with the new lockdowns around the world how can we achieve that, especially now when many people complain about “Zoom fatigue”?
Social connection doesn't have to be over zoom. If you live with other people, you can take time to mindfully connect with them. Or you can pick up a phone and call a friend. Zoom is just one way to connect with the people you care about during this time, and we can intentionally choose others if we're feeling fatigued with screens.
Social connection doesn't have to be over zoom. If you live with other people, you can take time to mindfully connect with them. Or you can pick up a phone and call a friend. Zoom is just one way to connect with the people you care about during this time, and we can intentionally choose others if we're feeling fatigued with screens.
What do you think could be the Covid-19 long-term effects on our mental health?
I think there's a chance that COVID-19 can really boost our gratitude long-term. This tough time is making us realize how much in our daily lives we took for granted— being able to see our extended family members, or going to our favorite restaurant, visiting a movie theatre— I think when we get those things back after this crisis we will appreciate them even more.
I think there's a chance that COVID-19 can really boost our gratitude long-term. This tough time is making us realize how much in our daily lives we took for granted— being able to see our extended family members, or going to our favorite restaurant, visiting a movie theatre— I think when we get those things back after this crisis we will appreciate them even more.
What are the biggest lessons that we could learn from this pandemic in terms of what really matters in life?
I think it will be appreciating the things we took for granted before.
I think it will be appreciating the things we took for granted before.
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