The Science Of Wellbeing
and Happiness

Yale's most popular class studied successful people to understand what makes them happy (or unhappy)

Yale’s most popular class ever “The Science of Wellbeing” by professor Laurie Santos, Daniel Gilbert Harvard psychologist who wrote ”Stumbling on Happiness”, and Harvard lecturer Shawn Anchor “The Happiness Advantage”  have studied successful people to understand what makes them happy (or unhappy). Most people want to be successful in life. And of course, everyone wants to be happy. When it comes to the pursuit of success and happiness, most people assume the same formula: if you work hard, you will become successful, and once you become successful, then you’ll be happy.

The only problem is that a decade of cutting-edge research in the field of positive psychology has proven that this formula is backwards. Success does not beget happiness. Based on the largest study ever conducted on happiness and human potential (a survey conducted by the author of more than 1,600 students), revealed that happiness actually fuelled success and performance, not the other way around. Why? Because when we are happier and positive we are more engaged, creative, productive, resilient to stress, leading to a more successful life. You really do hold the key to making yourself happy!

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Studied ways to improve your life and your happiness

1.  A study of 800 people on their deathbed revealed the number 1 regret in life was not living true to themselves. This means not living the life that was right for them. Not what your parents told you, your spouse, your friends, or society. You must always be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin, and live true to your own heart!

2.  A 75-year Harvard study revealed loving relationships are everything, they lead to long and fulfilled lives. Spend time with friends and family, the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships.

3.  In studies of people at the end of their lives, they wished they hadn’t taken things so seriously. People look back and say they should have let themselves be happier rather than wasting time stressing on things that won’t really matter in the end.

4.  Find your purpose, something bigger than yourself; we all have something to contribute to this world.

5.  Always focus on the good in your life and be grateful. Practicing gratitude increased both happiness and life satisfaction. The Journal of Happiness published a study that used letters of gratitude to test how being grateful can affect our levels of happiness: Count your blessings, you have far more than you think – write three things that you are grateful for everyday.

6.  Live a life of meaning –  whatever that may be to you. By doing meaningful things, you become fulfilled.

7.  Love with all your heart. Science confirms that the heart is stronger than the brain! No doubt, the brain has electric and magnetic fields, but they are relatively weak compared with the heart’s, which is about 100 times stronger electrically and 5,000 times stronger magnetically!

8.  Help people achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.

9.  Stop comparing yourself to others, we’re all different and have a variety of gifts and talents to bring to this world.

10.  Always remember the best things in life really are free….your health, love, friends, family, hugs, pets, sunsets, sunrises, smell, touch, taste, sight, hearing, and a healthy mind and body. These gifts are priceless, so smile as it can’t get any better.

11.  People regret the things they didn’t do more than the things they did. So give something a try, you won’t regret it!

12.  Be curious like a child, wonder and never stop learning. Develop new habits that make you a better person Everything in nature either grows or dies. “Get busy living or get busy dying”  – Andy in The Shawshank Redemption.

13.  Studies show experiences are better than material things. Happiness is true inner contentment. Pleasure can be fleeting and empty. When you buy a new toy, it brings you pleasure for a few days until you need the next new toy. It is an endless cycle of chasing fleeting things. I’m not saying all material items are not worth it but spending money on experiences with your loved ones will probably be a better investment. Memories are forever.

14.  Don’t live in the past. Try to live in the moment and savour all it has to offer. Thinking and looking forward to the future will increase happiness too.

15.  Studies show happiness increases and depression decreases when a person uses their signature strengths regularly.

16.  Exercise and sleep raise serotonin and dopamine, the endorphins that are the feel good hormones.

17. University of Pennsylvania professor Martin Seligman explains that helping others can improve our own lives: “We scientists have found that doing a kindness produces the single most reliable momentary increase in wellbeing of any exercise we have tested.”

18. When we do good, it fills our hearts with happiness. Volunteer, help someone in need, your spirit will soar.

19. Meditate – rewire your brain for happiness. In one study, a research team from Massachusetts General Hospital looked at the brain scans of 16 people before and after they participated in an eight-week course in mindfulness meditation. The study, published in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, concluded that after completing the course, parts of the participants’ brains associated with compassion and self-awareness grew, and parts associated with stress shrank. Meditation clears your mind and calms you down, and it’s been proven to be one of the single most effective ways to live a happier life.

20.  A U.K. study from the University of Sussex found that being outdoors made people happier, so get outside and enjoy some nature.

21. 90% of your happiness is dictated by how you view the world. Do you see things in life as stressful or as a challenge? This can affect you dramatically. That choice makes all the difference. A positive brain functions 31% better; that’s a significant difference. A famous Henry Ford quote “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right”, emphasizes how much attitude determines success or failure.

22. Happiness is not a destination. It is not something to pursue. Don’t wait for happiness. Don’t save up for happiness. Don’t chase happiness. Happiness is a choice   Happiness is a conscious celebration of the precious gift of life and all of your blessings. Happiness is a journey,  enjoy it!

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