These are important to happiness.
Finding happiness may seem like a straightforward goal, but it’s not merely about pursuing fleeting pleasures. Instead, it’s about navigating life’s complexities with wisdom, tranquility, and ideally, joy. Yet, for many individuals, achieving or sustaining happiness proves challenging amidst life’s challenges.
A recent study from the University of Bristol in the U.K. delves into the outcomes of their “Science of Happiness” program, which has been striving since 2018 to assist students in cultivating a sense of well-being.
The research indicates that personal happiness can be attained through evidence-informed habits, and these effects can endure if individuals continue to practice what they’ve learned. While similar curricula exist in other educational institutions, this study marks the first to track the long-term efficacy of such practices.
The study involved questioning 228 undergraduates who had previously taken one of the university’s positive psychology courses a year or two earlier. These students reported a notable 10% to 15% enhancement in their well-being immediately after completing the course.
However, what’s particularly intriguing is that 51% of the participants, totaling 115 students, maintained their positive outlook by persistently applying the tools they had learned in class over the following years. Dr. Bruce Hood, the senior author of the study and author of “The Science of Happiness: Seven Lessons for Living Well,” outlined the “happiness hacks” taught in the “Science of Happiness” coursework:
- Performing acts of kindness.
- Increasing social connections, such as initiating conversations with strangers.
- Savoring experiences.
- Deliberately focusing on positive events and aspects of one’s day.
- Practicing gratitude and expressing thanks.
- Engaging in physical activity.
- Exploring mindfulness and meditation techniques.
Dr. Hood clarified that the course content aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various factors contributing to well-being, rather than simply offering a checklist of activities.
Some students incorporated these happiness practices into their daily routines, while others did so periodically to prevent monotony, noted Dr. Hood. These happiness hacks primarily revolve around shifting one’s perspective, moving from an egocentric focus on personal problems to a more interconnected view of oneself within a broader network of others and the world. This shift helps put personal challenges into perspective and fosters a sense of support and connection with others.
Dr. Tobias Esch, a neurobiologist not involved in the study, emphasized that happiness is not solely individualistic or hedonistic but is deeply rooted in neurological processes. He explained that when happiness arises, the brain’s reward system is activated, leading to increased motivation, well-being, and stress reduction.
Furthermore, Dr. Esch highlighted that many positive psychology activities, including those explored in the study, can dampen the activity of the brain’s default mode network, which is associated with negative rumination.
Ultimately, happiness is viewed as a fundamental biological necessity that has evolved over millions of years, serving not only individual well-being but also the survival and flourishing of entire species.
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