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The Science of Well-Being

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.

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?

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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Mindfulness in Good Lives