With one-third the world practicing self-isolation and social distancing, mental health issues are on the rise. The quarantine is certainly getting to people, and isolation is leading to increased levels of anxiety and depression.
This news is, then, a blessing for most of us that are finding it increasingly troubling to deal with isolation.
The most popular course on the Yale campus – the ‘happiness’ course – is now available for free on Coursera!
Created by Laurie Santos, a Professor of Psychology at Yale, a course called ‘Psychology and the Good Life’ was unveiled at Yale in the spring of 2018. Santos created this course in response to the exacerbating levels of depression, stress, and anxiety that students were dealing with.
Combining positive psychology with application of behavioral sciences in real life, the course offered profound insights to students on what really drives happiness. Debunking myths and false notions about what causes happiness, it also facilitated students in rewiring their brain by behaviour change exercises.
It turned out to be one of the most sought-after courses at Yale, gaining much national and international attention. Remarkably, it was the most popular class ever taught in the over 300-year history of the university, with close to 1,200 students enrolling for it.
To meet the high demand for the course worldwide, Santos designed an online course for non-Yale students, calling it ‘The Science of Well-being.’ This is now available free on the online learning platform Coursera. You can audit it for free or opt for a $49 certificate of completion.
The course takes approximately 20 hours to complete and is available with subtitles in English and Spanish. According to the description on Coursera, “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.”
We are certainly registering for the course right away. How about you? If you are interested, register for the course here.
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