How To Be Happy (a.k.a. The most popular class at Yale)

Within a few days of open registration for Psyc 157, Psychology and the Good Life, about 1200 students or nearly 1/4 of Yale undergraduates were enrolled.

Taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos, this is a class to address the "mental health crisis" -- even at Yale, according to David Shimer in a New York Times article (1-26-18). 

It stands as the most popular course in Yale's 316-year history and focuses on characteristics that allow humans to flourish.

How does one become happy?

For my own edification, I perused Jeff Haden's article in Inc.com,  "10 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Incredibly Happy."  {If you like to know the research that backs these 10 ways, this is a gem.}

I also looked at Maria Cohut's article, (Fact checked by Jasmine Collier) "How to be Happy in 2018, in Medical News Today (12-28-17). 

Most of us know a lot of these, but with about 40 million adults combating depression every year in the U.S., I thought I would share what I gleaned.

Yup.  This one is almost always at the top of the list as it's one of the most effective strategies for overcoming depression.

It doesn't have to require hours on the treadmill either.  (Woo-hoo!)  

Just focus on the kind of exercise you like.  The key is to be more active.  

Take a step--and keep on walking!

In nearly every magazine I've picked up in the last few months there has been an article on sleep.  

There's a plethora of tips on how to make one's bedroom more conducive to sleep--and all emphasize that sleep needs to be a priority in one's life.

And, oddly, lack of sleep and depression are linked.

 Sounds like a gimmee, doesn't it?  

Yet, this sentiment is listed as one of the top five things people express before dying.

This, by the way, means social connections--not texts, Instagram-ing or Snapchat-ing.  Think Real Time with friends and family.

This leads us to...

In "Phone Addiction is Real--and so are Its Mental Health Risks," by Alice G. Walton (FORBES, 12/11/17), phone addiction and social media addition are closely intertwined and linked to some serious mental health risks, which include depression and suicide.

The danger lies because both have the appearance of social interaction but couldn't be further away from it.

Try a day's separation and see how you feel.

[There's a new book to help you determine if you have a problematic relationship with your mobile device, How to Break Up With Your Phone, $13, amazon.com.]

Did you know that 57 degrees is max for happiness?  Me, either.

Make friends with the great outdoors.  


By taking a walk not only do you increase your happy levels but you also encourage creativity--which gives one a greater sense of well being. 

Some suggest 100 hours/year as the magic number!

Not the kind that requires little muscle movement but the REAL KIND that involves the eyes!

I LOVE this one!  

Research shows a spike in happiness just planning it.  

Maybe you can't actually take a trip, but the advise is to "put something on your calendar" to provide something to look forward to doing.

It's not woo-woo advice.  

I speak from experience when I report that it does, indeed, assist with focus, clarity, attention span, calming AND improves happiness.

Research shows that it could be the MOST effective way to lead a happier life.  

My favorite app for meditation is Insight Timer.  It lets you explore all different kinds of meditation experiences--from guided to music to meditations by topic.  It also narrows the choices depending on how much time you have--and, it's free!

Yoga also is effective with depression by lowering anxiety and stress levels.

Studies show a long commute creates more misery or as Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert puts it, "Driving in traffic is a different kind of hell every day."

I've long extolled the virtues of this one in several posts.

If it sounds daunting, just list THREE good things you are grateful for each day.  

By focusing on the people in our lives, what we have, etc., we can diffuse so much of the negative noise around us every day.  It's surprising how much GOOD surrounds us when we pay attention.

Oddly, what you eat affects your mood.  True.

Eating too much sugar and greater risk of depression are linked.  In fact, eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugar can improve mental health within TWO WEEKS!!

NOTE: Researchers have confirmed cocoa (i.e. chocolate) can work miracles for psychological well-being, mood and cognitive abilities!!

This means to yourself and others.

Do you practice self-love and self-care?

How do you talk to yourself?  Like a loving friend or Cruella?

Seriously?  

Research has shown that we get happier as we age--especially AFTER middle age!!

It might because older people focus on happier experiences rather than negative.

It also might have something to do with pruning out people I refer to as "black holes that suck the energy to bring people down."
  
And, studies find older adults learn to let go of loss, disappointment and unachieved goals and focus instead on greater well-being.

In her class, Psyc 157, Dr. Santos is hoping her students will learn the strategies and behaviors that will enable them to enjoy happiness in Real Life.

You have to hold yourself accountable every day, she emphasizes.