Laurie R. Santos, professor of psychology and cognitive study at Yale, was concerned about the stressful lives being led by college students. In 2009, a National College Assessment Report found that 40 percent of college students were experiencing more than an average level of stress; 29.6 percent suffered from depression that made it difficult for them to function; 47 percent experienced anxiety; 56.1 percent said they were lonely; and 84.6 percent felt overwhelmed with everything they had to do.
Rather than just lament over those statistics, Santos was determined to do something to help her students. Her course, Psychology and the Good Life, struck a nerve, and since being introduced this past January, has become the most popular course in Yale’s history. That, however, was just the beginning. Santos’ course has gone viral, with colleges, institutions, and corporations all over the world expressing an interest in what she is teaching. There’s also a way to access the course online through Coursera.
On June 2, in the midst of Yale’s reunion weekend, alumni and guests crammed into an auditorium to hear Santos explain how the course came about and give a brief summary of what the students learn. Who isn’t stressed out these days? Sterling Law Building’s Levinson Auditorium was so crowded, that many Baby Boomers, eager perhaps to find out what they’ve been missing in the quest for happiness, even took to sitting in the aisles. (Many needed a hand getting up.)
Santos is an entertaining and engaging speaker and is obviously passionate about her work. In addition to her psychology courses, she is also head of Yale’s residential Stillman College, which keeps her closely in touch with students. Her presentation zeroed in on the top ten insights that make up the heart of this 26-week course.
Insight One
We can control more of our happiness than we think.
It’s true that 50 percent of our happiness is controlled by our genes, but that still leaves a lot that we can do to turn the situation around.
Insight Two
Our life circumstances don’t affect happiness as much as we think.
Winning the lottery is a perfect example. While coming into millions might bring a brief period of happiness, often that euphoria is fleeting. Conversely, someone who experiences a terrible tragedy, might still be able to find happiness.
Insight Three
We can become happier, but it takes effort and commitment.
While record numbers of students signed up for the course (1,200, requiring the college to move the lectures to a larger venue), students quickly described it #hardestclassatyale. Similar to sticking with a diet or exercise routine, making permanent changes can be difficult.
Insight Four
Our minds are lying to us a lot of the times.
What we think will make us happy – large houses, big cars, lots of money – won’t most of the time.
Insight Five
Increase your social connection.
The happiest people are ones who make time to be social with friends and family. And, no, social media is not a positive way to connect with others. Santos says she actually encourages her students to get off of social media and interact face to face.
Insight Six
Give a bunch of your stuff/money away.
She cited a study where people were given $5 or $20 to spend on themselves or someone else. Follow up interviews found that those who gave to others reported higher levels of happiness.
Insight Seven
Take a little time for gratitude each day.
In one exercise, students were asked to write a letter of gratitude to someone and actually deliver it personally and even read it aloud. But even just telling someone you are grateful for being in your life works.
Insight Eight
Sleep. Just sleep.
Santos reported startling statistics on how few hours of sleep are reported by high school and college students. Not only does less sleep make for less happiness, but it damages health and can lead to accidents.
Insight Nine
Take time to be present in the moment.
Turns out that old adage, “take time to smell the flowers,” works. Unfortunately, Santos says most of us spend 50 percent of our time “mind wandering,” not noticing what’s going on around us. She suggested savoring a particular activity, practicing meditation, and focusing on breathing.
Insight Ten
Become wealthy (not from money, from time).
She dubbed it “time affluence,” finding pockets of time to do something besides work. One day, she greeted her students with the news that class was cancelled, but they had to spend that hour not studying, instead doing something to make them happy, even if that something was lying in the grass relaxing. One young women was so overwhelmed with having a free hour, she burst into tears.
Top photo: Bigstock
