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Laurie Santos

NEW TEEN VERSION AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.

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NEW TEEN VERSION AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.

THE SCIENCE OF WELL BEING WAS PRODUCED IN PART DUE TO THE GENEROUS FUNDING OF THE DAVID F. SWENSEN FUND FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Why take this course?
Misconceptions About Happiness
What do we think will make us happy?
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Why Our Expectations are so Bad
Why do we mispredict what makes us happy?
How Can We Overcome Our Biases
How we counteract our annoying features of the mind?
Stuff that Really Makes Us Happy
What can we do to improve our happiness?
Putting Strategies into Practice
How can we intentionally put these strategies into practice and build healthier habits?
Start Your Final Rewirement Challenge
What rewirement will you commit to for the next 4 weeks?
Continue Your Rewirement Challenge
How can you rely on others to help you change your behaviors?
How can you design your environment to help you change your behaviors?
Submit Your Final Assignment
What mindset can you have to appreciate your progress so far and continue your progress beyond the course?

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores misconceptions about happiness, which is a critical aspect of well-being
Constructs strategies for incorporating wellness into lifestyle, which is perfect for beginners
Provides a strong foundation in the science of happiness, which is highly relevant in both personal and professional life
Emphasizes hands-on challenges to reinforce learning, which is an effective approach to developing habits
Backed by research from the University of Pennsylvania, which is known for its contributions to the study of happiness
Requires substantial effort in putting ideas into practice, which may not suit all learners

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Science of Well-Being with these activities:
Find a Mentor
Finding a mentor can provide you with support, guidance, and advice as you work towards your goals.
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Show steps
  • Identify what kind of mentor you are looking for.
  • Network with people in your field.
  • Ask people you trust for recommendations.
  • Interview potential mentors.
Review: Well-being: The Five Essential Elements
Reviewing this book will help you to better understand the science of happiness and how to apply it to your own life.
Show steps
  • Discuss the book with a friend or family member.
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts.
Attend a Well-being Event
Attending a well-being event can help you to connect with others who are interested in living a healthy and fulfilling life.
Browse courses on Well-being
Show steps
  • Find an event in your area.
  • Register for the event.
  • Attend the event and participate in the activities.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Join a Study Group
Joining a study group can help you to stay accountable for your studies and improve your understanding of the material.
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Show steps
  • Find a group that is a good fit for your learning style.
  • Attend the study group meetings regularly.
  • Participate actively in the discussions.
Start a Gratitude Journal
Keeping a gratitude journal can help you to focus on the positive things in your life and improve your overall well-being.
Browse courses on Gratitude
Show steps
  • Choose a journal or notebook.
  • Set aside a few minutes each day to write down at least three things that you are grateful for.
Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help you to reduce stress, improve focus, and increase self-awareness.
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Show steps
  • Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
  • Close your eyes and focus on your breath.
  • Notice the rise and fall of your breath.
  • When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.
Create a Vision Board
Creating a vision board can help you to clarify your goals and stay motivated to achieve them.
Browse courses on Goal Setting
Show steps
  • Gather images and words that represent your goals.
  • Arrange the images and words on a poster board or piece of paper.
  • Display your vision board in a place where you will see it often.
Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Writing a letter to your future self can help you to reflect on your goals and values, and to stay motivated to achieve your goals.
Browse courses on Self-Reflection
Show steps
  • Think about what you want to achieve in the future.
  • Write a letter to yourself describing your goals.
  • Include advice and encouragement for your future self.

Career center

Learners who complete The Science of Well-Being will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Psychologist
Psychologists help people with a range of mental health issues. This could include anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. This course will help you understand the psychology of happiness. This understanding could aid in your ability to help your clients understand their circumstances.
Wellness Coach
Wellness coaches help people improve their overall well-being. This could include improving physical health, mental health, and relationships. This course could help you to develop a greater understanding of the science of happiness. This knowledge could make you a more effective coach.
Happiness Consultant
Happiness consultant is a type of life coach. They help people identify and overcome the obstacles preventing contentment. In a similar vein, The Science of Well-Being course at Yale will help you to identify misconceptions about happiness. Lessons will build your understanding of what truly makes people happy. Course activities and assignments could be used to demonstrate your abilities as a Happiness consultant. Further, the course will give you tools to practice your craft on yourself to develop expertise.
Social Worker
Social workers help people overcome challenges and improve their well-being. This could include helping people with mental health issues, poverty, and homelessness. The Science of Well-Being course will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge will help you to better understand and serve your clients.
Health Coach
Health coaches help people make lasting, healthy changes to their lifestyle. This could include improving diet, exercise, and sleep habits. The Science of Well-Being course will help you build an understanding of the science of happiness. This knowledge will help you to better understand and serve your clients.
Life Coach
Life coaches help people identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. The Science of Well-being course will help you build a foundation in the science of happiness. This knowledge will help you to better understand and serve your clients. As part of a coaching practice, you could even adopt some of the science-backed activities and assignments used in this course.
Registered Dietitian
Registered dietitians help people improve their health through nutrition. The Science of Well-Being course will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge will help you to better understand the role of nutrition in well-being.
Geriatric Social Worker
Geriatric social workers help older adults and their families cope with the challenges of aging. The Science of Well-Being will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge could help you to better understand and serve your clients.
Hospice Nurse
Hospice nurses provide care to people who are dying. The Science of Well-being will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge could help you to provide more compassionate care to your patients and their families.
Teacher
Teachers help students learn and grow. The Science of Well-Being course will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge will help you to create a more positive and productive learning environment for your students.
Yoga Instructor
Yoga instructors teach yoga classes to help people improve their physical and mental well-being. The Science of Well-being will aid you to understand the science of happiness. This course could help you include evidence-based information about well-being into your classes.
Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors help people overcome addiction. The Science of Well-being will help you understand the science of happiness. This understanding could be useful in your practice, as addiction can be a major obstacle to happiness.
Chaplain
Chaplains provide spiritual support to people in hospitals, hospices, and other settings. The Science of Well-being will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge could help you to provide more compassionate care to your patients and their families.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists help people improve their relationships. The Science of Well-being will aid you in understanding the science of happiness. This understanding could help you become a more effective therapist, as relationships are a major factor in happiness.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists help people improve their ability to perform everyday activities. This could include activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing. The Science of Well-Being course will help you understand the science of happiness. This knowledge may help you to help your clients feel happier.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read two articles that feature The Science of Well-Being:

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Science of Well-Being.
Provides an overview of the field of positive psychology, which focuses on the study of human strengths and well-being. It offers practical strategies for increasing happiness and well-being.
Presents a research-based approach to increasing happiness. It offers specific exercises and strategies that can be used to improve mood and well-being.
Memoir of one woman's year-long experiment in happiness. It offers practical tips and advice for increasing happiness and well-being.
Offers insights into the nature of happiness and how to achieve it. It draws on the wisdom of Buddhist teachings and Western psychology.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of positive psychology. It covers the latest research on happiness, well-being, and resilience.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the research on happiness. It covers a wide range of topics, including the causes of happiness, the effects of happiness on health and well-being, and the measurement of happiness.
This classic book offers a simple and straightforward approach to increasing happiness and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and self-belief.
Challenges the common view of stress as harmful. It argues that stress can actually be beneficial, and offers strategies for managing stress in a healthy way.
Explores the nature of joy and how to find it in the face of adversity. It draws on the wisdom of the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.
Explores the strengths and challenges of introversion. It offers insights into how introverts can thrive in a world that often values extroversion.

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